Former Senator and Congressman-elect Leila de Lima believes Senate President Francis Escudero’s move to delay the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte violates the 1987 Constitution.
De Lima pointed to Article XI, Section 3(4), which mandates that once a verified impeachment complaint is signed by at least one-third of House members, the Senate must immediately begin the trial.
“Yes, yes, that’s always been my position—that is clearly violative of what the Constitution says. Forthwith is forthwith. And it’s been delayed a few times already,” De Lima said in an interview after meeting with House minority members.
The impeachment complaint against VP Duterte secured 215 signatures—exceeding the required one-third threshold of the House.
Initially set for June 2 (session reopening), Escudero postponed the presentation of impeachment articles to June 11. De Lima insisted the trial is not optional, and the Senate is constitutionally obligated to act as an impeachment court.
Escudero had earlier invited the House on May 23 to begin the process on June 2 but abruptly sent another letter last week to defer it.
Some legal experts now raise concerns that the trial’s legitimacy could be affected if the 20th Congress handles an impeachment filed under the 19th Congress.
However, De Lima argued that, like regional trial courts, the impeachment court’s composition may change, but its jurisdiction remains intact.