Senate leaders have denied the existence of a resolution dismissing the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite a document circulating on social media suggesting otherwise.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified on Wednesday that no such resolution has been filed. “As of last night, there is no such filed or pending resolution,” he told reporters.
The alleged document claims that the impeachment case should be considered “de facto” dismissed due to time constraints and the 19th Congress’ inability to resolve the matter before it adjourns. However, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel cast doubt on the document’s authenticity, calling its logic flawed and its legal references inaccurate.
Several senators, including Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, and Cynthia Villar, said they have not seen the supposed resolution. Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos acknowledged that the document could be one of many drafts circulating internally.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House on February 5 on accusations including betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, and graft. The Senate has scheduled the reading of the Articles of Impeachment for June 11.
House prosecutors, including Reps. Joel Chua and Gerville Luistro, argued that dismissing the complaint without a formal trial would be unconstitutional. “The Senate’s role is to try the case, not to dismiss it outright,” Chua said.
The House prosecution panel, led by Luistro, insists that only a trial can lead to either acquittal or conviction, in line with Article XI Section 3 of the Constitution.