MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Franklin Drilon expressed confidence that Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan will vote in favor of pushing through with an impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Drilon’s statement comes amid growing uncertainty about whether the Senate will move forward with the trial. Senate President Chiz Escudero previously stated that the upper chamber could vote to dismiss the impeachment complaint outright, raising questions about the proceedings’ future.
Despite this possibility, Drilon believes that if the Senate holds a vote, the three senators he mentioned will strongly advocate for the trial to proceed. He emphasized that they are likely to vote to hear the case in full, ensuring both the prosecution and defense are given the opportunity to present all available evidence.
Drilon, a seasoned lawmaker and legal expert, stressed that the Senate is constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial once the Articles of Impeachment are formally transmitted. He warned against dismissing the case on the basis of jurisdictional technicalities, stating that such a move would be improper.
However, he also acknowledged the importance of hearing the Supreme Court’s opinion, especially after Vice President Duterte’s legal team filed a petition challenging the legitimacy of the pending impeachment complaint.
As the political and legal drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the Senate and the Supreme Court, whose decisions in the coming weeks will shape the outcome of the high-profile case.
