Senators clash over reported reso to throw out VP Sara impeachment

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday denied the existence of a Senate resolution that allegedly seeks to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“I don’t know. No such resolution filed nor pending as of last night when I left a little before 10 PM” Escudero said in a text message to reporters.

Several senators — including Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, and Cynthia Villar — also said they had not seen any such resolution.

In contrast, Senator Imee Marcos confirmed she had seen drafts of Senate resolutions purportedly seeking to dismiss Duterte’s impeachment case.

“One of the many drafts, with different purposes — that looks like the third one I've seen, there are many versions, all looking for the most effective and legally sound solution, one without loopholes,” Marcos said during an ambush interview.

Senators Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go — known allies of the Dutertes — refused to comment when asked about the existence of the said resolution.

In a separate ambush interview, Dela Rosa simply said: "Is there any?"

A copy of the resolution obtained by the Daily Tribune stated that it was “introduced by senators,” though no names have been officially linked to it.

The resolution is titled: “Declaring the De Facto Dismissal of the Impeachment Case Against Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte by Operation of the 1987 Constitution.”

The impeachment complaint against Duterte remains pending in the Senate, after Escudero moved the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment to 11 June — the final day of session for the 19th Congress.

Originally scheduled for 2 June 2025, the presentation of the Articles is a prerequisite for the Senate to formally convene as an impeachment court.

Under Senate rules, once the Articles are presented in plenary, the Senate can proceed to trial.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on 5 February, with 215 lawmakers — over two-thirds of the chamber — voting in favor.

To convict and remove her from office, the Senate must secure a two-thirds vote, or at least 16 out of its 24 members.