Statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the rescheduling of VP Sara's impeachment trial

VIDEO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/158sthECO_KDejbxkgUnv5s8y4OssF2S7/view?usp=drive_link

Nakakabahala na ang paulit-ulit na antala sa proseso ng impeachment trial. Buwan na ang binibilang natin. Sobra-sobra na ang paghihintay ng mga Pilipino. Let us all hope this is the last delay.

While I support my colleagues in our shared sense of urgency in passing important legislation in the last days of the 19th Congress, including the landmark Anti-POGO bill, we cannot postpone our constitutional obligations any longer.

Any further delays in commencing the trial against Vice President Duterte would violate the Constitution, which clearly states that the Senate "shall forthwith proceed" with an impeachment trial. Hindi "kapag ready na," hindi "kapag convenient," kundi "shall forthwith proceed". Huwag naman sana yang balewalain.

The Supreme Court has also previously ruled that the Senate is treated as a continuing body when it comes to non-legislative functions, and those include the vital duty to sit as an impeachment court.

We owe it to the Filipino people to convene as an impeachment court and begin the proceedings at the soonest possible time. Anuman ang akusasyon laban kay Vice President Duterte, karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman at mahimay ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng isang transparent na impeachment trial.

Dapat harapin na ng Senado ang lahat ng ito sa lalong madaling panahon.