SENATOR Risa Hontiveros, serving as an impeachment judge in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, opposed the immediate dismissal of the impeachment complaint on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
While acknowledging Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s motion to dismiss the case, Hontiveros instead advocated for a more measured approach, prioritizing due process for all parties involved.
Rather than ruling on the motion outright, Hontiveros urged the Senate impeachment court to solicit input from both Vice President Duterte’s legal team and the House prosecution panel.
She stressed the importance of hearing arguments from both sides before making a decision on the constitutional issues raised by Dela Rosa’s motion.
“We cannot act unilaterally on the dismissal of the impeachment complaint without hearing a single word from the prosecution and a single word from the defense regarding the alleged ‘constitutional infirmity’,” Hontiveros stated.
Her stance highlights a commitment to fairness and a thorough examination of the legal arguments before determining the fate of the impeachment proceedings.
The Senate impeachment court’s decision on how to proceed with Dela Rosa’s motion remains pending, with the debate underscoring the complexities and high stakes of the ongoing trial.
The court’s next steps will be closely watched as the trial progresses.
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