House warns vs. speculation on Senate alliances in VP impeach trial

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Senators take their oath as judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday (June 10, 2025). (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday warned against drawing premature conclusions regarding possible alliances within the Senate impeachment court, amid growing speculation that some senators may be favoring Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, House spokesperson, lawyer Princess Abante, said it would be inappropriate to speculate on the motivations or leanings of the senators sitting as judges in Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“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.

Still, she underscored that the public is closely watching how the impeachment process unfolds.

“The Filipino people are watching us – what we are doing, how we act in the impeachment proceedings,” she said in Filipino.

She said the House has already fulfilled its constitutional duty by initiating and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment and is now focused on broader national priorities as the 20th Congress prepares to convene.

“We are also focusing on our other duties to bring a better way of life for Filipinos,” Abante said, reiterating the House’s commitment to pass meaningful legislation aligned with the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Duterte is facing an impeachment trial over the alleged misuse of confidential funds and other constitutional violations.

The House adopted the Articles of Impeachment earlier this year in a landmark vote.

The Senate, acting as the impeachment court, has yet to formally begin the trial, raising concerns over delays and questions of 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.