Vice President Sara Duterte attends the HOR Committee hearing on Good Governance and Public Accountability at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — A member of the House prosecution panel has expressed concern over the delay in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, and warned against a no impeachment trial scenario.

Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor admitted he was “disheartened” by the Senate’s postponement of the schedule for the House prosecution’s presentation of the Articles of Impeachment from June 2 to June 11, the last session week before Congress adjourns sine die.

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“Ang June 11 kasi if it will push through, it will be only the reading of the Articles of Impeachment by one prosecutor. However… the following day, June 12, is already a holiday and there will be no more sessions if, according to the senators, they will not allow it to cross over. Meaning, matatapos lahat," he said.

"And hindi ko na alam how the new set of senators will schedule their impeachment trial if ever they decide to push through with it,” Defensor added.

He said the delay has been "long enough." The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February.

The House prosecutor said the Senate’s move may be perceived by the public as “apprehension” on the part of senator-judges to proceed with the impeachment trial.

But he warned that not holding it will be “very bad for democracy”.

"A no impeachment trial scenario is even worse for our democracy. It's a bad example for all Filipinos, especially the youth, that we cannot exact accountability from our high public officials. So sana ma-reconsider ng Senado ang kanilang desisyon na ipatagal pa,” Defensor said.

'KILL' THE IMPEACHMENT?

ML party-list Representative-elect Leila De Lima, who is expected to join the House prosecution panel during the 20th Congress, sees the Senate’s move as a sign that it is considering to “kill the impeachment trial." 

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“Bakit nagdi-dilly dally? Isa ’yan sa mga senyales na sa tingin ko, may nangyayari. Sa tingin ko, mayroon nang ganyang usapin, na kino-consider na nila ’yan, to kill the impeachment trial,” De Lima said. 

“I can only foresee on that last day, sasabihin na lang nila na hindi na pwede. Kasi magkakaroon na ng argument, that view na hindi na pwede ma-carry over ‘yung impeachment proceedings na ‘yan, kasi mayroon na tayong bagong Kongreso,” De Lima noted.

She asserted that abandoning the impeachment trial would be tantamount to abandoning justice.

Defensor reiterated that that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte can continue in the 20th Congress.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega also expressed disappointment and apprehension over the delay in the impeachment proceedings, but said the House will comply with the Senate’s order. 

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