THE House of Representatives on Wednesday cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about possible alliances within the Senate impeachment court, as questions mounted over whether Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team is benefiting from favorable positions taken by some senators.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess T. Abante said it would be inappropriate to speculate on the motivations or leanings of the senators sitting as judges in Duterte’s impeachment trial but reminded that the entire process is being watched closely by the Filipino people.
“I wouldn’t want to make any speculations. We expect and assume that the senator-judges, in all of their actions in these proceedings, are acting with impartiality,” Abante said during a press conference.
Asked whether the vice president may have found an ally in the Senate, Abante responded: “Ayokong mag-speculate. Hindi naman kami ang maghuhusga n’un. Taong-bayan ang nanonood sa atin—kung ano ang ginagawa natin, kung ano ang actions natin sa impeachment proceedings na ito.”
Abante stressed that the House has already fulfilled its constitutional role by initiating and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment and is now focused on broader national priorities as the 20th Congress prepares to convene.
“Ang House, nagampanan na ang trabaho, ang kanyang tungkulin sa impeachment proceeding. Hindi naman doon natatapos ang trabaho ng Kamara,” Abante said.
“Naka-focus na rin kami sa mga dapat nating ibang trabaho para magbigay ng mas mataas na antas ng pamumuhay sa mga Pilipino,” she added.
Abante said the House remains committed to passing meaningful legislation aligned with the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
“Patuloy ang suporta ng Kamara sa mga programa at polisiya ng administrasyon sa pangunguna ni PBBM—mga batas na makatutulong para mahanapan ng solusyon ang mga problema ng bawat Pilipino,” she said.
Vice President Duterte is facing impeachment over the alleged misuse of confidential funds and other violations of the Constitution.
The House adopted the Articles of Impeachment in a historic vote earlier this year. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has yet to formally open the trial, prompting concerns over delays and questions about impartiality.
The House prosecution panel has repeatedly expressed readiness to present its case and has called on the Senate to allow the process to proceed “forthwith,” in accordance with the Constitution.
