By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has called on Senate President Francis Escudero to act “forthwith” on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing the constitutional mandate for immediate proceedings.
Pimentel sent reporters on Tuesday a copy of the letter dated Feb. 14 that he sent to Escudero wherein he cited Article XI, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that once the House of Representatives transmits impeachment articles, “trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”
“‘Forthwith’ must be interpreted in accordance with the Verba Legis Rule, meaning it should be given its plain and ordinary meaning — without delay,” Pimentel wrote.
The senator referenced both English and Filipino translations of the Constitution, pointing out that the official Filipino term for “forthwith” is “agad,” which conveys immediacy.
“The Senate’s duty is clear — to act on this matter without any delay,” he added.
Escudero has been denying allegations that the Senate is delaying the impeachment proceedings, explaining that senators cannot proceed with the trial without convening the impeachment court which can only be done during the regular session.
Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros supported Pimentel’s call for the Senate to convene following the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
She, however, underscored the importance of neutrality among senators, who will serve as judges should the impeachment process proceed.
“Well, bilang senador at kapag nahinog ang isang impeachment process magiging sa isang senator-judge ay dapat manatiling neutral o impartial (As senators, if an impeachment process matures, we are expected to remain neutral and impartial as senator-judges),” Hontiveros told journalists at the sidelines of the inauguration of the Manaoag Tourists Assistance Center in Pangasinan, a video of which was sent to Senate.
“Pero nakiki-isa ako doon sa sulat na inilabas ng aking Minority Leader na si Senator Koko Pimentel na sa kanyang pag-intindi sa Konstitusyon ay malinaw ang utos sa amin na once ma-transmit sa amin ang Articles of Impeachment tulad ng nangyari ay agad na mag-convene (But I stand with my Minority Leader, Senator Koko Pimentel, in his interpretation of the Constitution, which clearly states that once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted to us, we must convene immediately),” she added. (PNA)
