THE Senate should begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte forthwith as decreed by the 1987 Constitution.
The new Senate majority should not delay or even prevent the start of the impeachment trial. If they do so, they relinquish their responsibility to uphold the constitutional order and the rule of law in this country.
The case involves serious allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery, unexplained wealth, and destabilization plots. These charges underscore the deep rupture between the Marcos and Duterte camps that could dominate the political landscape until the 2028 presidential race
What is important is for the current Senate to uphold high-level institutional accountability in our political system.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the Senate acts as an impeachment court, and the Senate President presides over the proceedings. While the Senate President does not vote except in specific circumstances, the position carries immense procedural and political influence. The presiding officer can affect the pace of the trial, interpret procedural motions, and shape the overall environment of the proceedings. The installation of Alan Peter Cayetano, a longtime Duterte ally and former running mate of former President Rodrigo Duterte, therefore changes perceptions about the likelihood of conviction.
Before the leadership change, many observers believed the Senate under Sotto might allow a more aggressive and expeditious impeachment process. Sotto had projected a more institutional and rules-based approach to the trial.
However, the Cayetano takeover suggests that pro-Duterte forces still possess considerable influence inside the Senate despite the House of Representatives being dominated by allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
What we are likely to witness in the weeks and months ahead could be
deeper political polarization, with the impeachment trial intensifying divisions in Congress and among the public, with Marcos allies pushing for conviction and Duterte loyalists framing it as persecution.
The Senate leadership change has already fueled public perception that institutional processes are being shaped by factional loyalties rather than purely constitutional considerations. This could undermine public trust in both Congress and the impeachment process itself.
In fact, what the Senate coup reveals is that the 2028 has effectively begun two years early. The impeachment trial is not only about legal accountability; it is also about succession politics, coalition-building, and the survival of competing political dynasties.
The impeachment case against Sara Duterte is not just about her alleged misconduct; it is a crucial test for Philippine democracy, institutional strength, and the balance of power between the Marcos and Duterte factions.
No doubt, its outcome will shape the trajectory of national politics leading into the 2028 elections and even beyond.
