By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Koko Pimentel sent a letter to Senate President Chiz Escudero, urging him to act “forthwith” on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I write to emphasize the constitutional mandate requiring the Senate to act ‘forthwith’ on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Pimentel said in the letter.
“Since this is a constitutional provision, the term ‘forthwith’ must be interpreted in accordance with the Verba Legis Rule, meaning it should be given its ‘plain and ordinary meaning.’”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Senate to comment on the petition filed before the tribunal.
This followed a petition for mandamus, asking the SC to compel the Senate to convene for an impeachment trial against Duterte.
The SC “required the Senate to comment on the petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of notice.”
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MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III expressed concerns on Monday (17 Feb 2025) about the repeated references to death and violence, warning that such statements could signal a deeper personality disorder.
Pimentel made the comment in response to former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s remarks at the PDP-Laban proclamation rally in San Juan City on February 13, where he jokingly discussed killing 15 senators to ensure the success of the party’s senatorial candidates in the upcoming elections.
“An individual who frequently brings up death and violence in conversation, especially with such obsession, could be showing signs of a serious personality disorder,” Pimentel stated in a Viber message to reporters.
The Senate minority leader called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to assess whether legal action is necessary based on Duterte’s remarks.
“It is up to the DOJ and NBI to investigate and determine whether a crime has been committed. If no crime has occurred, then we should move on from the issue,” he added.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla responded to inquiries on Monday, stating that the NBI may initiate its own investigation if deemed appropriate.
“Motu proprio, the NBI can look into the matter. We’ll see. We’re accustomed to the former president’s style of speech,” Remulla said.
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MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III warned that further delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would breach the Constitution.
Pimentel emphasized that a special session of Congress is necessary to officially begin the trial, allowing the Senate to convene as an impeachment court and move forward with preparations to avoid unnecessary delays.
Last Wednesday, 215 out of 306 House members voted to impeach Duterte on charges of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft, and corruption.
The House submitted the complaint to the Senate shortly after, outlining allegations of unexplained wealth, drug user killings during her mayoralty in Davao, and involvement in a plot to assassinate President Marcos and his family.
Senate President Francis Escudero has expressed reluctance to begin the trial during Congress’ recess, suggesting it could start when sessions resume on June 2.
However, Pimentel pointed out that the Constitution mandates the Senate to begin the trial “forthwith” once the impeachment complaint is filed by at least one-third of the House.
Pimentel argued that the term “forthwith” implies urgency but does not require immediate action.
A delay of several weeks is acceptable, but a postponement for over three months would be unconstitutional the former Senate president said.
He also highlighted that a special session could address pending legislation, including the New Government Auditing Code, amendments to the Cooperative Code, and other key bills such as those on judiciary fiscal autonomy, taxes on vape, electronic governance, and capital markets reform.
A three-day special session could advance critical measures while facilitating the impeachment process.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Koko Pimentel emphasized that imposing a fee on motorists using EDSA is not the solution to easing traffic congestion.
“Hindi solusyon ang pangongolekta ng bayad sa mga motorista na gagamit ng EDSA. Ang kailangan natin ay mas maayos na mass transport system, hindi dagdag gastos para sa mga Pilipino na araw-araw nang nahihirapan sa trapik,” Pimentel said.
He criticized the proposal to charge vehicles during peak hours, calling it an “anti-motorist and anti-commuter measure” that would unfairly burden the public.
The senator pointed out that many private car owners are left with no choice but to drive due to the unreliable and inefficient public transportation system.
“Walang choice ang maraming Pilipino kundi gumamit ng kotse dahil siksikan at kulang ang tren, bus, at jeep. Tama ang gobyerno, kung gusto nating maibsan ang trapiko sa EDSA, dapat ayusin muna natin ang transport system at imprastraktura. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na kapag nagawa natin pagandahin ang mass transport system, pahihirapan naman natin ang commuters na gamitin ang EDSA,” he added.
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By Liza Soriano
Senator Koko Pimentel asserted that it is not necessary for the purchase of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) equipment to come from confidential funds.
According to Pimentel, the DICT should create a policy to fight cybercrime without the need for confidential funds.
“The DICT’s primary role is not criminal law enforcement. It is not. It may have but it is not the primary role,” the lawmaker said.
The DICT is one of those agencies whose confidential funds were stripped by the House of Representatives, where it has a proposal of P300 million.
DICT Secretary John Ivan Uy said earlier that he would appeal to the Senate to return the agency’s confidential funds.
However, Pimentel said, “If we push that logic, it’s absurd, extreme. Ang buong budget pala ng Philippine National Police puwede nilang sabihin confidential fund na.”
(ai/mnm)