Resolution Circulating in Senate Seeks to Dismiss VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Complaint

A resolution aimed at junking the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is currently making the rounds in the Philippine Senate, with its proponents working to gather support from fellow lawmakers.

The resolution originated from the office of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, a member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), the political party led by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.

The initiative was confirmed after a draft of the resolution circulated among senators. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Imee Marcos acknowledged seeing copies of the draft, although some senators claimed to be unaware of its existence.

According to Dela Rosa, at least three draft versions of the resolution have been seen circulating, but he asserts that his office authored the original. He plans to officially file the resolution within the week.

Senator-elect Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, whose term in the 20th Congress begins in July, also confirmed having reviewed the draft. He noted that at least 13 senators must sign the resolution for it to be adopted in plenary. However, he emphasized that even if adopted, the Supreme Court could still overturn the decision and compel the Senate to proceed with an impeachment trial.

The draft resolution points to a lapse of over 100 days since the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate. With the chamber set to adjourn on June 13, the resolution argues that Senate rules prohibit impeachment proceedings from crossing over into the next Congress.

The resolution must still go through proper legislative procedures, including referral to the appropriate committee, the issuance of a committee report signed by a majority of its members, and plenary approval. The process allows for objections and debate, which could influence the final outcome.

Meanwhile, incoming Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III questioned why the impeachment complaint against the Vice President, which was transmitted by the House of Representatives last February, had not yet been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules.

The situation has stirred political discussions in the upper chamber as lawmakers weigh their positions ahead of the 20th Congress.