Cayetano: Senate to act “without delays” on Sara impeachment

National

“THERE won’t be any delays.”

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano gave that assurance as the Senate prepares for the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte once the House of Representatives formally transmits the Articles of Impeachment.

Cayetano said the chamber is ready to carry out its constitutional duty and noted that he had already consulted former Senate president Vicente Sotto III regarding the proper procedures for the proceedings.

He added that he plans to convene a caucus among members of the new majority bloc as soon as the transmittal reaches the Senate to ensure decisions are made collectively.

The Senate chief also emphasized the need to avoid prolonging the impeachment process, saying the chamber still has other legislative responsibilities to address even as it gives the accountability proceedings full attention.

Earlier, Sotto said the Senate had already begun preparations for the anticipated legal battle and would act with urgency once the complaint is received.

A total of 257 House members voted to impeach Duterte, more than double the constitutional requirement of one-third of the chamber, or 106 votes, needed to elevate the case to the Senate.

The House, dominated by allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first impeached Duterte in July 2025. However, the Supreme Court later voided the complaint, ruling that it violated the constitutional prohibition against initiating more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official within a year.

The House of Representatives has again designated 11 lawmakers to serve as prosecutors in Duterte’s impeachment trial. Retained from the original 2025 panel are Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Bukidnon Rep. Keith Flores, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor.

Joining them are Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.

The House has yet to formally transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.

House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said the Secretariat is still reproducing, collating and reviewing the documents and attachments, which run into thousands of pages, to ensure all copies accurately reflect what was approved by the chamber.

“The accuracy of our submission is our paramount concern,” Garafil said in a Philstar report.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said it expects senators to conduct a fair trial once they convene as an impeachment court.

Duterte is facing complaints tied to allegations that include a supposed conspiracy to assassinate Marcos, undeclared wealth, suspicious bank transactions and the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

The Vice President has denied the allegations.(MyTVCebu)