RESPONSE OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS TO THE MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR FRANCIS TOLENTINO ON THE IMPEACHMENT

I wish to respond briefly to the manifestation made by the Majority Floor Leader.

Mr. President, the 1987 Constitution demands that the Senate continue with the impeachment proceedings already initiated without further delay.

The rulings of the Supreme Court make it clear that first, impeachment is a non-legislative function of the Senate, this is Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council, G.R. No. 202242, 16 April 2013, and second that non-legislative functions of the Senate are not affected by the shift from 19th to 20th Congress. This is the case of Pimentel, Jr. v. Joint Committee of Congress, G.R. No. 163783, 22 June 2004.

It is true that the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress- and all unfinished business will be terminated. But this is only true for any work done by us in the exercise of our legislative functions.

Napakahalagang mandato po ng Saligang Batas ito - klaro at walang kalabuan - once we receive the Articles of Impeachment- "trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed."

Hahatulan tayo ng sambayanan kung hindi natin ginampanan ang tungkulin na ito sa sambayanan.