Monsod: Disclose names of senators who refuse to act on VP impeachment
Christian Monsod (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Commission on Elections Chairman Christian Monsod on Friday said that the names of the senators who refused to start the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte immediately must be disclosed to the public.
“I was asking, who are the senators who refused to act immediately? Please name them for the sake of public information, so they will know what they feel,” Monsod said at the sidelines of a forum in San Juan City.
He also said that the refusal of the senators to act on the impeachment proceedings may implicate the voters’ perceptions towards them.
“I feel that they wanted to postpone the trial because they’re afraid that the true self will be revealed in the deliberations of this impeachment trial. They might say something there that may turn off voters,” Monsod added.
Further, when asked if the delay of the trial is political, he answered: “Maybe.”
READ: Senate break not reason to defer VP impeachment trial — Monsod
Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, also said that the Senate session break is not an excuse to delay the impeachment trial.
Monsod cited Article XI, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution which states that the “trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed” once it receives the verified impeachment complaints.
He also said that the impeachment trial should not be treated as a legislative task, but as a special task.
“This is an important part of the Constitution on impeachment for the protection of the people. And sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. This is a constitutional mandate of the Constitution is certainly superior to a recess,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros previously said that it would be “great neglect of duty” if the senators of the 19th Congress would fail to act on the impeachment complaint. She added that they would not be able to “enforce the rules because it will be the 20th Congress that will implement it.”
READ: Hontiveros warns of neglect if Senate delays Sara Duterte impeachment
Senate President Francis Escudero earlier revealed that no impeachment trial will be conducted during the Congress’ break “because the impeachment court was not convened.”
Escudero previously noted that for an impeachment court to be convened, there needs to be an ongoing session in the Senate.
In a proposed calendar for the impeachment trial released by the Senate chiefly, the start of the trial is eyed on July 30, 2025.
