MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has warned that any further delay in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte would violate the Constitution, as he called for a special session to formally convene the Senate as an impeachment court.

Speaking on the DWIZ radio program Usapang Senado over the weekend, Pimentel emphasized the urgency of acting on the impeachment complaint, citing Article XI, Section 3 (4) of the 1987 Constitution.

“Binasa ko rin yung Constitution. Ang sabi doon, ‘forthwith.’ Ang ibig sabihin ng forthwith, mayroon ka rin dapat sense of urgency. Hindi naman ibig sabihin ng forthwith na dapat pagkatanggap mo, kilusan mo na agad. Hindi naman ganun. Pero, kunwari, pagkatanggap mo, kikilusan mo pagkatapos ng isang linggo, okay lang ‘yon. Pag isang buwan, okay pa rin ‘yon,” he said.

The provision states that once a verified impeachment complaint is filed by at least one-third of House members, it shall automatically constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and the Senate trial shall forthwith proceed.

Pimentel argued that delaying the process for months goes against the constitutional mandate.

“Kung palalampasin mo ng tatlo at kalahating buwan, hindi na po forthwith ‘yon,” he added.

Duterte faces accusations of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and misuse of confidential funds, particularly for her office and the Department of Education, which she heads.

The impeachment complaint was backed by at least 215 lawmakers on the last session day before Congress adjourned for the midterm elections.

The case now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will determine whether Duterte should be removed from office.

Calls for a special session

To avoid further delays, Pimentel pushed for a special session where the Senate could first tackle pending legislation before immediately shifting focus to the impeachment trial.

“Marami kaming mga minamadaling panukalang batas, so pwede pa ring magbenepisyo yung mga yun sa special session,” he said, citing measures such as the proposed New Government Auditing Code, Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy, and Tax on Vape.

If a three-day special session is called, Pimentel suggested dedicating two to two and a half days to passing these bills before officially convening the Senate as an impeachment court.

“So, parang binigyan kami ng additional na oras para maipagpatuloy namin yung proseso ng mga panukalang batas,” he noted.