The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Monday expressed disappointment over the "botched" impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the Senate’s decision to remand the impeachment complaint to the House of Representatives constitutes an abandonment of its constitutional mandate.

“We believe that the Senate has a constitutional duty to conduct, without any delay or disruption, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Abandoning this mandate undermines the integrity of our democratic processes,” read the MAP statement, signed by its president, Al Panlilio, and National Issues Committee Chair Rene Almendras.

MAP stressed that the matter goes beyond politics, emphasizing that it is "fundamentally about good governance and the rule of law."

“By allowing the trial to proceed, the Senate would affirm its commitment to transparency, accountability, and other principles of good governance — giving the prosecution a fair chance to present its case and the defense a full opportunity to respond and clear the respondent’s name,” the group said.

MAP added that upholding the rule of law is essential not only to protecting national institutions but also to creating a stable, predictable environment for economic growth.

“It builds investor confidence, attracts job-generating investments, and ultimately benefits all Filipinos. We are confident that our senators will rise to the occasion and reaffirm the Senate’s role as a pillar of good governance and the rule of law,” the group said.

On Tuesday night, the Senate voted 18-5 to remand the impeachment case to the Lower House, effectively pausing the trial.