Akbayan Partylist Representative Perci Cendaña is condemning the Senate's decision to conduct a vote on August 6 regarding whether to abide by the Supreme Court's ruling that the Articles of Impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte were unconstitutional.
In an interview during Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, Cendaña confirmed that the House of Representatives filed a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) last Friday afternoon, August 1. The lawmaker said the Senate should wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the MR before proceeding with any vote.
"Sabi ko nga nang marinig ko 'yang balitang 'yan, di ba kapag tayo ay sumasakay sa jeep at nakapila tayo, hinihintay muna bago mapuno yung jeep bago umandar. Kaya nga ang tanong ko, puno na ba ang jeep at nagmamadali silang umalis at umandar?" Cendaña said.
Cendaña believes that due to this "rushing," truth, justice, and accountability may be left behind.
Last Tuesday, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said that around 19 to 20 senators are expected to vote in favor of dismissing the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
Cendaña emphasized that the impeachment trial would have provided an opportunity for the complainants to present their evidence, and for Vice President Duterte to defend herself. He appealed to the senators:
"Tayo po ay nananawagan sa sinasabing 19-20 senators na sumakay na d'yan sa jeep na nagmamadali para i-dismiss ang impeachment complaint. Magandang pagkakataon ang impeachment trial para makapagpresenta ng ebidensya ang mga nag-file ng kaso at makapagdepensa din ng kaniyang sarili ang nasasakdal," said Cendaña
Senator Estrada, on the other hand, said the Senate should stop considering the impeachment case against Duterte following the Supreme Court's ruling that it violates the one-year ban on filing impeachment complaints.
He emphasized that regardless of whether an MR has been filed, the Senate should proceed with the vote as scheduled on August 6.
Meanwhile, Senator Kiko Pangilinan urged the Senate to postpone the plenary vote, noting that the MR from the House is still pending.
