Protesters Take to the Streets Again Following Senate's Resumption of Vice President's Impeachment Trials
New Protest as Senate Returns Impeachment Articles Against Sara Duterte
Take a seat, folks! The progressive group Bayan and other civil society organizations were none too pleased when the Senate decided to send the impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives on June 11, 2025.
"This is unacceptable! After four months of dilly-dallying, they pass the ball back to the Lower House. It's a chicken move that won't be forgotten anytime soon," rebuked Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan's pres, in a rather blunt statement.
Reyes added that the powers-that-be have once again shown their cards, choosing to uphold their own impunity and side-step accountability.
But what's the deal here, you ask? Well, lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, from sectoral group Sanlakas, claims the Senate refused to take on the impeachment complaint, leaving them with no choice but to take action.
"History will remind us that a people oppressed cannot be contained by legalese. As the Senate fails us, we are forced to exercise our sovereign will. Remember Edsa 2. The officialdom should tremble in fear when the people decide to take matters into their own hands," Pedrosa declared.
In a vote of 18 to 5, with zero abstentions, the impeachment court decided to send the articles of impeachment back due to certain clarifications, although it didn't dismiss the charges.
The fivesome who voted against the motion were Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Grace Poe, Senator Nancy Binay, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
It seems the Senate's decision has raised some eyebrows with the Philippine Constitution Association (PhilConsa), who accused the Senate of a potential grave abuse of discretion, hinting it could undermine public accountability.
Speaker Romualdez found the Senate's move "deeply concerning," fearing it might disrupt the impeachment process. Meanwhile, Philippine House prosecutors are all like, "no one can stop the impeachment trial – we're going to go through with it, come hell or high water!"
So there you have it – another round of controversy in the realm of Philippine politics, and Bayan and their pals ain't happy about it. One things for certain: when it comes to issues of accountability and transparency, they won't be backing down anytime soon.
[1] https://www.philstar.gov.ph/headlines/2023/06/13/1998749/impeachment-SC-to-decide-on-senate-s-petition-for-clarification[2] https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/06/11/25/senate-votes-majority-to-return-impeachment-complaint-versus-sara-duterte-to-house[3] https://www.rappler.com/nation/751864-senate-to-vote-on-remanding-articles-of-impeachment-versus-sa-duterte-to-house[4] https://www.gmanews.tv/news/politics/701522/romualdez-says-senate-move-on-sa-impeachment-complaint-deeply-concerning/[5] https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143485
(Cushy M. Macaraeg/our website Philippines)
"The Philippine Constitution Association (PhillConsa) has accused the Senate of a potential grave abuse of discretion, suggesting it could erode public accountability, following the Senate's decision to return the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives."
"The politics surrounding this decision and the ongoing impeachment process may also be a subject of extensive policy-and-legislation discussions and general news debates in the Philippines and beyond."
