Senate’s impeachment duty mandate from the people, says solon
The Senate finally approved the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for next year. With 18 votes in favor and one abstention, the upper chamber passed House Bill No. 10800, or the General Appropriations Act of 2025. No senator voted against the measure. INQUIRER FILES
Chua, a member of the House prosecution team, stressed that the Senate could convene as an impeachment court without waiting for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to call a special session.
“But kami nga po ang stand po kasi namin dito dapat ay agaran na po ‘yung pag-try ng impeachment dahil ito po ay inuutos po ng ating Saligang Batas,” Chua said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
(But our stand here is that the impeachment trial should proceed immediately because it is mandated by our Constitution.)
The lawmaker further explained that the Constitution’s language is clear, , with the phrase “shall forthwith proceed” underscoring the urgency of the impeachment trial.
Chua also noted that the authority of the Constitution comes from the Filipino people.
Article continues after this advertisement“Ito po ang basic law of the land. At ang author po nito ay ang sambayanang Pilipino. Makikita po natin ‘yan sa preamble, ‘with the Filipino people employing the aid of the almighty God.’ So ibig sabihin po niyan ang author ng Saligang Batas ay ang Pilipino,” he explained.
Article continues after this advertisement(This is the basic law of the land. And its author is the Filipino people. We can see this in the preamble, ‘with the Filipino people employing the aid of the Almighty God.’ This means that the Constitution’s author is the Filipino people.)
“So ibig sabihin ang nagsasabi po na ito po ay dapat simulan na agad ay ang sambayanang Pilipino, base po sa ating Constitution,” he added.
(This means that it is the Filipino people, through the Constitution, saying the trial should begin immediately.)
Senate President Francis Escudero earlier reiterated that the impeachment trial would begin in July, after President Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).
Chua, however, maintained that the Senate could act sooner.
““Ako po with all due respect, hindi po ako naninawala na kailangan po ng Presidente para ipatawag ang special session,” he reiterated.
(With all due respect, I do not believe that the President’s call is needed to convene a special session.)
“Even without [a special session], parang sinasabi niya [former Senate President Franklin Drilon] the Senate itself, e po pwede po mag-convene para po dito sa impeachment proceeding,” Chua said.
(Even without a special session, as former Senate President Franklin Drilon mentioned, the Senate itself can convene for the impeachment proceeding.)
Addressing claims that the House delayed the impeachment process, Chua refuted the allegations, explaining that the House needed to ensure the impeachment complaint was solid before filing it.
