Rights groups call on Senate to stop delay of VP Duterte’s impeachment trial

There is no better time than now for the Senate to uphold the responsibility it has sworn to fulfill, says AHRC

MANILA, Philippines – Human rights groups organizations urged the Senate to prosecute Vice President Sara Duterte immediately, as Senate President Chiz Escudero rescheduled the reading of impeachment articles against her from June 2 to June 11, the final day of the 19th Congress before it adjourns sine die.

Duterte is facing serious allegations involving the misuse of confidential funds and questionable transactions during her term as secretary of the Department of Education, and was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with 240 lawmakers supporting the complaint.  (READ: Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Everything you need to know)

Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network (DPCN) called on senators “to uphold the Constitution and immediately convene the impeachment court.” 

“These efforts to stall and even dismiss the proceedings is an affront to the Constitution. Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 6 of the 1987 Constitution clearly states that the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. This mandate is not subject to political discretion. It is a legal duty that binds every member of the Senate from the moment the Articles are received,” DPCN said in a statement posted on Facebook. 

The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) also expressed deep concern over the Senate’s inaction on the impeachment complaint against the vice president. 

“The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was transmitted to the Senate on 5 February 2025. Four months have passed. No hearing has been held. No trial has begun. Not a single step has been taken in compliance with the constitutional command to proceed “forthwith”—or without delay,” said AHRC. 

In its statement, AHRC also stressed that there is no better time than now for the Senate to uphold the responsibility it has sworn to fulfill.

With Escudero’s conflicting take on ‘forthwith’ and actions that defy its meaning, De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno School of Law echoed the same sentiments, stressing that “the use of ‘forthwith’ means the Senate has no discretion to delay, ignore, or dismiss the case without trial.”

Meanwhile, the Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) emphasized that the Senate has a constitutional duty to serve the Filipino people. “If the Senate fails us, they should also be held accountable,” said Antonio Gabriel La Viña, president of the Movement Against Disinformation and CPDG Board of Trustees member.

“The Marcos Jr. government claims adherence to good governance with transparency and accountability prevailing in all its transactions. However, this will only happen when the rule of law is followed and erring government officials are held accountable for their actions,” CPDG added.

Here are the other statements from other human rights groups:

Philippine Political Science Association

“In a functioning democracy, no public official, regardless of their popularity or political influence, is above scrutiny. Our system of checks and balances relies on the principled actions of each branch of government. Delaying the trial undermines this system and erodes public trust.”

“The Senate’s failure to act decisively constitutes a grave disservice to the Filipino people, who expect their leaders to uphold the public interest rather than serve a narrow political agenda. An independent Senate must rise above political pressures and demonstrate its loyalty to democratic principles and the Filipino people. What we have witnessed thus far, however, is the opposite: an institution that appears paralysed and compromised.“

LPU Law Student Government

“While we acknowledge that Senators may have discretion on the respondent’s guilt as to the many charges brought against her, we maintain that they have none on the conduct of a trial, because this is commanded by the Constitution.”

“The House of Representatives has accused the respondent, and has therefore done its part.”

“The Senate is expected by all to do no less.”

– Rappler.com