Senate Remands Sara Impeachment Case to House

Instead of Outright Dismissal

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Senators took their oaths last night as judges in an impeachment court that will try Vice President Sara Duterte for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, among other charges.

Later in the evening, the Senate, voting 18-5-0, decided to remand the Articles of Impeachment back to the House, with only Senators Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Sherwin Gatchalian voting against the motion.

Remanding was done instead of dismissing the Articles of Impeachment outright, as proposed by pro-Duterte senators. The move also seeks to clarify if the House still wants to proceed with the trial during the 19th Congress, which ends on June 30.

The 22 senator-judges donned Oxford crimson robes and took their oaths as members of the impeachment court, officially convening the body a day ahead of the original schedule.

They swore to uphold "impartial justice" in hearing the evidence and rendering their verdict.

Senate President Francis Escudero, as presiding chair, took his oath ahead of his colleagues, on Monday night.

He said the Impeachment Rules were not amended because he does not want them changed "in the middle of the game." The oath-taking and eventually the convening of the impeachment court took place even after Sen.

Ronald dela Rosa tried to block them during plenary session, citing "constitutional infirmities" in the Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House of Representatives.

But this was shot down during session, with Sen. Joel Villanueva arguing the issue can only be taken up by the court.

Escudero agreed, as he suspended session to give way for the convening of the court and for the senators to put on their robes.