By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday assured the public that the Senate would act without delay and carry out its constitutional duties once it receives the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Asked if the Senate would convene immediately once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, Cayetano replied, “forthwith.”
“There won’t be delays. You judge us on our action,” he told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.
The newly elected Senate leader said he consulted former Senate president Vicente Sotto III regarding the impeachment process and agreed that the complaint should first be referred to the Senate Committee on Rules in accordance with procedure.
“Sabi niya, process. Ibigay muna sa Committee on Rules. So, we will do what has to be done and there won’t be delays,” he said.
Sen. Cayetano said he plans to hold an all-member caucus to ensure that decisions regarding impeachment proceedings would reflect the sentiment of the entire Senate and not just one bloc.
“That’s why I want a majority focus para it’s not a decision of only one group,” he said.
Still, Sen. Cayetano stressed that the Senate must continue addressing pressing national concerns even as the impeachment issue looms over the chamber.
“We cannot focus on impeachment alone because there’s so many primarily economic issues that we have to face,” he said.
He warned that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the impeachment process could distract lawmakers from other urgent legislative concerns.
“The country needs us in other capacities. So the longer this drags out, the more ‘yung attention namin andyan,” he said.
At the same time, Sen. Cayetano underscored the importance of the impeachment process as a constitutional accountability mechanism.
“But it’s such an important accountability process, so we will give it full attention,” he added.
The House of Representatives is expected to transmit the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte to the Senate, which will sit as an impeachment court once proceedings formally begin.
