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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Diokno reminds senator-judges about 'political neutrality' rule in VP Duterte trial

Diokno reminds senator-judges about 'political neutrality' rule in VP Duterte trial

Published Jun 21, 2026 11:57 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Chel Diokno stressed that senator‑judges must remain politically neutral, impartial, and fair when hearing Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial starting July 6.
  • He says neutrality is essential to preserve public confidence, noting that 16 of 24 senator‑judges must vote for conviction to unseat Duterte and bar her from office.
  • Diokno adds that the trial is the Vice President's chance to present evidence and arguments, something the public has long awaited.
The senator-judges (left) and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno (Facebook)
The senator-judges (left) and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno (Facebook)


Senator-judges must exercise "political neutrality" during the course of Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming impeachment trial.
Thus, said House prosecution panel member Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, as he highlighted the importance of this cconstitutional task of the 24-member Senate.
“Ang nakalagay sa ating impeachment rules ng Senado ay lahat ng mahistrado, mga senator-judge, kailangan mag-observe ng una, political neutrality (The impeachment rules of the Senate state that all magistrates, the senator‑judges, must observe first, political neutrality),” Diokno said on Sunday, June 21.
“Ibig sabihin ay walang kulay na politika na dapat na papasok sa kanilang pagdinig at sa kanilang pagpapasya (This means that no political color should enter into their hearings and their decisions),” added the lawyer-legislator.
Diokno made the remarks when asked about claims that some senator-judges had already decided on how to vote on the case even before a single piece of evidence is dissected in court.
The Senate impeachment court is set to start hearing the case on July 6 after the completion of pre-trial proceedings.
Diokno also pointed out that the rules require senator-judges to remain "impartial and objective" in assessing the evidence and testimony that will be presented during the trial.
“Ibig sabihin patas dapat ang kanilang mindset (This means that their mindset should be about fairness)” he said.
The House prosecutor said these safeguards are essential to preserving public confidence in the impeachment process, particularly as the Senate prepares to hear one of the most consequential constitutional cases in recent years.
A total of 16 out of the 24 senator-judges need to vote in favor of any one of the articles of impeachment in order ro convict Duterte. A conviction will unseat the respondent as Vice President and perpetually disqualify her from holding public office.
Time to face the music
With the start of the trial on track early next month, Diokno says the only thing that's left to do is for the twice-impeached Duterte to once and for all answer the allegations contained in the articles of impeachment.
“Ngayon, siyempre ‘yung pagdating na mismo sa paglilitis ng kaso ay dapat doon na mismo ‘yung pagkakataon ni Vice President na humarap at ibigay, ihain ‘yung kanyang ebidensya, ihain ‘yung kanyang mga argumento,” Diokno said.
(Now, of course when it comes to the actual trial of the case, that should be the opportunity for the Vice President to appear and present, submit her evidence, and lay down her arguments.)
“Matagal na rin na hinihintay ng taumbayan ‘yan. Dahil itong impeachment case, nagsimula po ito sa Committee on Justice sa House of Representatives. At hanggang ngayon ay hinihintay pa rin natin kung ano ‘yung mismong sasabihin ni Vice President tungkol dito,” he pointed out.
(The people have long been waiting for that. Because this impeachment case started in the Committee on Justice in the House of Representatives. And until now we are still waiting for what the Vice President herself will say about it.)
The impeachment proceedings against Duterte were initiated by the House of Representatives last Feb. 23, five days after she announced that she was running for president in the 2028 polls.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte IMPEACHMENT Chel Diokno senator-judges Political neutrality
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