MANILA — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said that allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the Senate will not move to block the chamber from convening as an impeachment court once it receives the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from the House of Representatives.

In a report, Go said the convening of the Senate as an impeachment court is part of its constitutional duty.

“Wala pong ganoong usapan at hindi po kami nag-uusap na maghaharang po ng convening,” the senator told reporters.

He stressed that there had been no discussions among senators regarding any attempt to prevent the Senate from formally sitting as an impeachment court.

Senator Robinhood Padilla earlier claimed that members of the minority bloc might oppose the convening of the impeachment court. However, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Imee Marcos denied this, saying the matter had not yet been discussed among them.

Go said senators are bound to follow their constitutional mandate once the impeachment process reaches the Senate.

“It’s our mandate, obligasyon naman natin ito. Kaya nga po tayo may constitution na dapat sundin,” he said.

“Meron tayong mandato na dapat sundin kung umabot dito. Kailangan naming gampanan ang aming trabaho bilang senator-judge and to be impartial at lumabas yung katotohanan,” he added.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the committee report from the House Committee on Justice, which found probable cause to impeach Vice President Duterte over allegations including the alleged misuse of confidential funds and other accusations.

At least one-third of the 318 House members, or 106 lawmakers, is required for the impeachment to proceed.

In a separate statement, Padilla appeared to clarify his earlier remarks, saying no senator can legally block the convening of the impeachment court under the Constitution.

“Anong isyu? Walang isyu sa amin na minority. Hindi namin pwede baluktutin o baliin ang Saligang Batas!” he said on Facebook.

“Maari kaming magsagawa ng mga pamamaraan katulad ng talumpati laban sa impeachment hanggat hindi pa kami natitipon bilang mga hukom! At para sabihin na papalitan namin ang liderato ng Senado para pigilin ang impeachment court, hindi po mangyayari yun. Walang ganon sa Saligang Batas,” he added.