DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 April) — The Supreme Court En Banc ruled that the Senate has the discretion to decide when to convene as an impeachment court, clarifying that the constitutional phrase “shall forthwith proceed” grants the upper chamber authority over the trial’s timing.
The ruling followed a petition by Catalino Aldea Generillo Jr. on February 13, 2025, seeking a writ of mandamus to compel the Senate to immediately begin the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte after the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment on February 5, 2025.
Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, writing the decision, stated that the Constitution does not impose a strict deadline for the Senate to start the trial, unlike the House, which must act within a set number of session days. The Court emphasized, however, that the Senate must avoid undue delay to ensure accountability.
The SC clarified that “forthwith” means within a reasonable time, allowing the Senate flexibility based on case circumstances. It dismissed Generillo’s petition as moot after nullifying the first impeachment case against Duterte in July 2025 and January 2026 rulings, citing due process violations and the one-year bar rule.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Justice found probable cause in two new impeachment complaints against Duterte, voting 53-0. The case will now proceed to the plenary, where a one-third vote is required to forward it to the Senate for trial. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
