Senator Francis Tolentino maintained that the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte must be resolved within the 19th Congress, asserting that the 1987 Constitution does not allow the case to spill over into the next congressional session.
Speaking in a DZMM interview on June 5, Tolentino stressed that the complaint is bound to the term of the current Congress. “’Trial shall proceed forthwith.’ Kanino po nakapaskil yung salitang ‘forthwith?’ Yun po ay nakadikit sa kung saan dinulog yung complaint. Yung articles of impeachment, yun po ay nakadikit sa 19th Congress. Hindi po iyon dinikit sa 20th Congress,” he said.
His remarks came in response to former Senate President Franklin Drilon’s claim that there is legal ground for the impeachment case to continue under the 20th Congress.
Constitutionalist Christian Monsod disagreed with Tolentino’s interpretation. He argued that the Senate functions as a continuing body and can still act on the complaint even after the change in its composition. “Yung outgoing senators they step down June 30. At the same time, the newly elected 12 assumed office. So, there is never a situation where there are only 12,” Monsod explained.
Despite the looming sine die adjournment on June 13, Tolentino said the Senate can still convene as an impeachment court. He vowed to serve as an “impartial judge” and expressed willingness to work around the clock to conclude the trial before the 19th Congress ends on June 30.
Tolentino has earlier argued that failure to resolve the case within the current legislative term would render the impeachment “functionally dismissed.”
