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No Need For Special Session: Senate Can Start Impeachment Trial ASAP - House Leaders
Photo credit: Akbayan Youth
The Senate doesn’t need President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call a special session or wait for a Supreme Court order to start an impeachment trial—it can get to work immediately, say key House leaders.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude A. Acidre made it clear that the Constitution already gives the directive.
“When they said that the Senate should start the trial forthwith, it means that it simply has to,” Acidre stated in a media interview.
He explained that the constitutional provision itself acts as the call to convene. “You don’t need any other initiative from either the Executive or the Supreme Court for the Senate to undertake their constitutional duty,” he added.
Acidre also pointed out that Congress has convened without a special session before—such as when approving a martial law declaration. He argued that impeachment, like martial law confirmation, falls outside the usual legislative calendar and should proceed without delay.
“At ‘di lang ito ang tanging situation na nakasaad sa Constitution wherein Congress needs to convene without need of a call,” he said. “To confirm the martial law declaration, the Congress has to convene. The Supreme Court has even clarified before that there’s a difference between legislative and non-legislative powers.”
House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil D. Bongalon echoed Acidre’s stance, saying the 1987 Constitution is crystal clear: the Senate must start the trial without delay.
“Kung saan sinasabi doon na trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed… sinasabi doon na ‘yung pag-uusig ay dapat simulan agad,” Bongalon said, emphasizing that this constitutional provision leaves no room for interpretation or delay.
He also pointed out that the Senate can convene as an impeachment court even while Congress is on recess if the majority of senators agree.
“Considering that the Congress is in recess, then they can have or call for a special session primarily to act on the mandate of the Constitution that trial shall forthwith proceed,” he said.
Bongalon dismissed suggestions to wait three to four months for the trial to start.
“Why do you have to wait for another 3 or 4 months to act on the impeachment complaint na kung saan sinasabi na mismo ng Constitution na dapat ang paglilitis ay simulan agad?” he questioned.
The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte has stirred heated discussions over whether the Senate must wait for a special session. The House impeached Duterte on February 5, with an overwhelming 215 votes in favor, easily surpassing the required one-third threshold. The Articles of Impeachment have already been sent to the Senate, where the trial is expected to begin soon.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude A. Acidre made it clear that the Constitution already gives the directive.
“When they said that the Senate should start the trial forthwith, it means that it simply has to,” Acidre stated in a media interview.
He explained that the constitutional provision itself acts as the call to convene. “You don’t need any other initiative from either the Executive or the Supreme Court for the Senate to undertake their constitutional duty,” he added.
Acidre also pointed out that Congress has convened without a special session before—such as when approving a martial law declaration. He argued that impeachment, like martial law confirmation, falls outside the usual legislative calendar and should proceed without delay.
“At ‘di lang ito ang tanging situation na nakasaad sa Constitution wherein Congress needs to convene without need of a call,” he said. “To confirm the martial law declaration, the Congress has to convene. The Supreme Court has even clarified before that there’s a difference between legislative and non-legislative powers.”
House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil D. Bongalon echoed Acidre’s stance, saying the 1987 Constitution is crystal clear: the Senate must start the trial without delay.
“Kung saan sinasabi doon na trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed… sinasabi doon na ‘yung pag-uusig ay dapat simulan agad,” Bongalon said, emphasizing that this constitutional provision leaves no room for interpretation or delay.
He also pointed out that the Senate can convene as an impeachment court even while Congress is on recess if the majority of senators agree.
“Considering that the Congress is in recess, then they can have or call for a special session primarily to act on the mandate of the Constitution that trial shall forthwith proceed,” he said.
Bongalon dismissed suggestions to wait three to four months for the trial to start.
“Why do you have to wait for another 3 or 4 months to act on the impeachment complaint na kung saan sinasabi na mismo ng Constitution na dapat ang paglilitis ay simulan agad?” he questioned.
The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte has stirred heated discussions over whether the Senate must wait for a special session. The House impeached Duterte on February 5, with an overwhelming 215 votes in favor, easily surpassing the required one-third threshold. The Articles of Impeachment have already been sent to the Senate, where the trial is expected to begin soon.
Feb 21, 2025
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