Duterte Impeachment Trial Uncertain: Senate President's Statement Creates Confusion

The Impeachment Trial of VP Sara Duterte: Senate President Zubiri Clarifies the Path Forward Manila, Philippines – The fate of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte remains uncertain, as Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has clarified that actions taken in the 19th Congress are not binding on the 20th. This means that the 20th Congress must decide independently whether to proceed with the trial, even if an impeachment court was convened under the previous Congress. "Even if the Senate under the 19th Congress convenes as an impeachment court, the upper chamber must reconvene as a court in the 20th Congress, since all actions and decisions made in the previous Congress are “non-binding” on the next one," Zubiri stated in a recent press conference. The decision to resume the trial rests solely with the 20th Congress, which could adopt the rules of the previous Congress by a simple majority vote. This statement effectively throws the future of the impeachment proceedings into question. While the 19th Congress may have laid some groundwork, the 20th Congress has the ultimate authority to determine whether the trial will proceed or be dismissed. The uncertainty surrounding the trial's future leaves many anticipating the decisions of the newly convened Congress. The upcoming decision by the 20th Congress will be closely watched by the public and political analysts alike, as it will have significant implications for the political landscape of the Philippines.