Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified on Monday that no formal resolution has been filed in the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking at a press briefing, Escudero stressed that the Senate cannot act on unfiled or unofficial documents. “I refuse to discuss a piece of paper that has not been filed,” he said, referring to circulating drafts.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa previously admitted that he authored a draft resolution calling for the dismissal of Duterte’s impeachment case. He said he is still considering whether to formally submit it and acknowledged that other senators are working on similar drafts, which might be consolidated into one document.
A version of this proposed resolution has been making the rounds on social media, suggesting that the impeachment is “de facto” dismissed under the 1987 Constitution.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the charges of betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, and corruption—allegations she denies.