Business group calls on Senate to uphold rule of law in Sara impeachment

Even though Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero has confirmed that no resolution has been filed to dismiss Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case, one of the country’s influential business groups, the Makati Business Club (MBC), has urged Senate leadership to continue with the impeachment trial and fulfill its mandate as an impeachment court.

“The Makati Business Club calls upon the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty to convene the impeachment court and proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” the group said Monday in a statement sent to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

The MBC views the issue as one of governance, a test of public accountability, and the rule of law.

“If we do not follow the rule of law, how can we expect to attract foreign and even local investors to bring in long-term investments, which would lead to the creation of jobs?” the group asked.

Earlier, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa claimed he initiated a resolution to terminate the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President, while Senator Imee Marcos confirmed the presence of several draft resolutions seeking to shelve the articles of impeachment against Duterte.

The MBC said the impeachment trial is meant to present evidence to determine whether the charges against the Vice President have merit.

"The Senators, individually, and the Senate, as an institution, will betray public trust and deny the Vice President a forum to refute charges if they do not proceed with the impeachment trial,” the business organization added.