Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña has strongly criticized the Senate for its continued inaction on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, questioning whether political fear is behind the delay.
In a statement issued by Akbayan, Cendaña called out Senate President Chiz Escudero, challenging him to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities.
“Is he afraid of Sara Duterte?” Cendaña asked. “Convening the Senate as an impeachment court is a solemn constitutional duty, not a seasonal accessory you put on or discard depending on the political weather, or one’s personal agenda.”
He stressed that the public is eager to see the trial unfold, especially after the Vice President herself expressed openness to facing the proceedings. “The public wants a trial,” he added. “Even the impeached Vice President herself has signaled a willingness to face one. What’s stopping the Senate? The people demand transparency.”
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in January 2025 showed that 41% of Filipinos supported the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte.
The impeachment court was initially scheduled to convene on June 3, according to a proposed calendar released by Escudero in February, but that meeting never took place.
