Newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday assured that the Senate will immediately act on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the chamber will fulfill its constitutional duty without delay.

Cayetano said the Senate would proceed “forthwith” upon receipt of the impeachment documents and emphasized that the institution would follow proper constitutional procedures.

“Forthwith. I consulted also Senator (Vicente ‘Tito’) Sotto. Sabi niya, process, ibigay muna sa committee. We will do what has to be done and there won’t be delays,” Cayetano said in an interview with reporters.

“We will do what has to be done… You judge us on our actions. But I don’t know what time it will be received. That’s why I want a majority caucus so it’s not a decision of only one group,” he added.

When asked whether the Senate would immediately convene once it receives the Articles of Impeachment, Cayetano responded firmly: “Forthwith.”

He said Senate leadership is continuing consultations with members of the chamber, as well as former officials, to ensure clarity and proper direction in the impeachment process.

“I also consulted former Senate President Tito Sotto. The guidance was to follow the process and refer the matter appropriately through the Committee on Rules. We will follow the law and the rules of the Senate,” he said.

Cayetano stressed that impeachment is an accountability mechanism that must be taken seriously, but he also noted that Congress should not lose focus on other national concerns, particularly economic issues.

“We cannot focus only on impeachment because there are many pressing economic challenges facing the country,” he said.

“But this is an important accountability process, and we will give it the full attention it deserves,” he added.

The Senate President also underscored the importance of collective decision-making within the chamber, saying he plans to call a caucus so senators can collectively determine the next steps.

“This will not be the decision of only one committee or one person,” he said.

Cayetano reiterated the importance of the rule of law and due process in all actions taken by the Senate.

“We are lawmakers, not lawbreakers. The Philippines is a nation of laws, not of men,” he said.

Meanwhile, while “forthwith” is commonly understood to mean immediate action, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has previously clarified that it may also be interpreted as “within a reasonable time,” depending on context.

The development comes as the House of Representatives—after a leadership change earlier this week—voted 257-26-9 to impeach Duterte for a second time. The charges include culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other serious allegations.

The articles of impeachment are expected to be transmitted to the Senate, which will serve as the impeachment court.