The Senate Impeachment Court voted 18-5-0 on Tuesday, June 10, to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, without dismissing or terminating the case.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, presiding over the impeachment court, affirmed the decision after voting on an amendment proposed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to a motion introduced by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“The Senate has no intention to dismiss this case but to give the (House) prosecution panel time to answer the questions raised without wasting the time of the court and while the impeachment court has yet to render its judgment,” Escudero said.
Under the amendment, the House of Representatives would have to certify the non-violation of Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that “No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.” It also mandates clarification on the filing of three prior impeachment complaints.
Senators also approved a motion that seeks to ensure that the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicate to the Senate confirming its willingness and readiness to pursue the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.
Senators who voted in favor of the amendment were Cayetano, his sister Pia Cayetano, Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Francis Tolentino, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, and Escudero himself.
Those who voted against were Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
The vote cancels the scheduled presentation of the Articles of Impeachment by the House prosecutors on Wednesday, June 11.
Escudero said that given the Senate’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House, the presentation of the document is “is already moot and academic.” (Hannah Torregoza)
