LIVE UPDATES: Senate Minority Bloc moves to suspend legislative business, convene impeachment court

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has formally moved to suspend the Senate’s legislative calendar and convene the impeachment court to begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The motion also calls for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take his oath as presiding officer of the impeachment court, and for all Senate members to be administered the prescribed oath as judges.

Senator Risa Hontiveros quickly seconded the motion, signaling growing support from key lawmakers to act without delay.

The urgency stems from the constitutional directive using the term “forthwith” in Article XI, Section 3(6) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the Senate to convene “immediately and without unreasonable delay” upon receipt of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives.

Pimentel emphasized that referring the complaint to the Senate Committee on Rules is not necessary for impeachment proceedings, arguing the chamber is now constitutionally bound to act. He cited a May 19, 2025 letter from Senate President Escudero to the House of Representatives as the effective official referral, triggering the Senate’s obligation to convene as an impeachment court.

Senators clashed Monday over the precise meaning of “forthwith.” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano appeared to soften his earlier position, saying “Susunod na ang forthwith,” suggesting the Senate will comply—but not necessarily with immediate effect.

Pimentel and Hontiveros took a firmer stance, asserting that "forthwith" means “agad-agad.” Hontiveros cited retired Justice Adolfo Azcuna’s interpretation, who defined “forthwith” as “immediately and without unreasonable delay.”

However, opposition emerged on procedural grounds. Senator Joel Villanueva argued that the Senate cannot proceed until the House formally reads the articles of impeachment in plenary and physically transmits them to the Senate. He maintained that the impeachment process mirrors U.S.-style procedure as adapted in Philippine practice.

Villanueva bolstered his point by citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Pimentel, Jr. v. Joint Committee of Congress, which upheld the continuing authority of Congress — even during adjournments — to fulfill non-legislative functions such as the canvassing of votes. However, Villanueva interpreted the ruling to mean that the Senate’s non-legislative function in an impeachment trial can only begin once the procedural requirements — such as formal receipt of the Articles — are completed.

In that 2004 decision, the Supreme Court ruled against then-Senator Pimentel’s petition to void a joint congressional canvass, stating that Congress retains authority for non-legislative duties even during recess or adjournment. The Court emphasized that adjournment does not nullify constitutional duties such as canvassing election results or, by implication, conducting an impeachment trial.

Nonetheless, Pimentel countered that the decision actually reinforces his argument: that even outside regular session, Congress is duty-bound to discharge constitutional mandates like impeachment.

Pimentel dismissed concerns that convening as an impeachment court would derail the legislative agenda, saying the Senate only needs “one to two hours” a day to carry out both duties.

Senator Migz Zubiri also manifested his intent to convene immediately, warning that the impeachment trial must conclude within the 19th Congress. “It cannot cross to the 20th Congress,” he said.

Amid the intensifying standoff, several senators — particularly those viewed as allies of Vice President Duterte—remained conspicuously absent during the session.

Meanwhile, the Senate is said to be reviewing endorsements from schools and civil society groups backing the impeachment initiative.

As of 8:15 PM, the Senate resumes its session regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Senator Joel Villanueva has moved the impeachment case to the Committee on Rules and asked Senate President Chiz Escudero to take his oath tonight as the presiding officer while all the senator-judges will follow suit.

Senator Villanueva also clarified that even though the oath-taking will be done earlier, they will only convene as an impeachment court starting Wednesday, 11 June.

This is a developing story.