Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday emphasized her commitment to an impartial review of the evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, amid the latter’s concerns about alleged bias.
Responding to Duterte’s claim that she once publicly called for the destruction of the Duterte family, Hontiveros made it clear she would perform her role as a senator-judge without prejudice.
“When we took our oath as senator-judges, it became our duty in the Senate to assess and vote based on the weight of evidence presented by both sides in the impeachment trial,” she said in a video statement.
The senator also pointed out that her duty remains the same regardless of political alliances or criticisms. “Whether an ally or a critic of the vice president, I fulfill this duty — and I expect the same from my fellow senators,” she added.
Hontiveros then encouraged Duterte to participate fully in the proceedings, starting by filing a formal response to the summons issued by the Senate impeachment court. “We’re all waiting for her answer and her participation in the next stages of the impeachment trial,” she said.
Duterte was impeached in February by the House of Representatives for alleged constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, and corruption. She has dismissed all the charges as politically motivated attempts to derail her possible 2028 presidential bid.
Although the Senate has returned the articles of impeachment to the House, the lower chamber has temporarily deferred action, awaiting clarification from the impeachment court on the matter.
