LIST: Universities call for Senate to push through with VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial
Academic institutions have joined the call for the Senate to forthwith proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On June 4, Sen. Imee Marcos confirmed that she saw several versions of draft resolutions seeking to dismiss impeachment raps against Duterte. Sen. Bato Dela Rosa told reporters that one came from his office.
However, other lawmakers Senate President Chiz Escudero, Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, and Cynthia Villar said at the time that they have not seen the supposed draft.
The Senate has yet to begin the impeachment trial of Duterte nearly four months after she was impeached by the House of Representatives. The reading of the Articles of Impeachment against the VP is set for June 11, with the 19th Congress set to adjourn sine die (without a date) on June 14. Lawmakers have engaged in discussions about whether the impeachment complaint would proceed or be dismissed since session resumed on June 2.
Ahead of June 11, several schools are pushing for the immediate commencement of the impeachment trial and its continuation into the 20th Congress, if needed.
Faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Law
Almost 100 faculty members of the UP College of Law signed an open letter over the draft resolutions seeking to dismiss the impeachment case.
"We are deeply concerned with moves to preemptively dismiss the impeachment case not because we necessarily believe in the charges: we do so because we wish to see the evidence, hear the Vice President’s defense, and with our fellow Filipinos, judge for ourselves her fitness to continue in public service," they said in the letter.
"As teachers and scholars of the law, we believe that the Senate’s dismissal without hearing even a single witness will mean its abandonment of its proud tradition as an august chamber and permanently alter our system of checks and balances."
Ateneo schools and Colleges of Law deans
The deans of the schools and colleges of law of Ateneo de Manila University, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Ateneo de Naga University released a joint statement calling for the immediate commencement of the impeachment.
They stated that the Constitution is "clear and categorical" on impeachment and that the Senate is a "continuing body."
"It is clear that the Senate is a continuing body as an impeachment court, which is a quasi-judicial function and which in no wise can be considered as a legislative function that could expire at the end of each Congress," they wrote.
"We are making this urgent call in faithful response to our moral and spiritual duty as educators and formators of future Ateneo lawyers. We pray that the Philippine Senate will likewise respond to its moral and constitutional duty as true servants of the public, upon whom the public trust is reposed, one that is faithful to the truth and to the Filipino people."
Lasallian Family in the Philippines
De La Salle University shared the Lasallian Family in the Philippines' position on standing for truth, accountability, and justice.
"The impeachment process is not merely a political exercise; it is a sacred mechanism enshrined in the 1987 Constitution to ensure that the highest public officials remain answerable to the people they serve. Any attempt to suppress this process undermines the pursuit of truth, and the very foundation of democracy, the rule of law, and the principle that no one is above the law," it said.
Adamson University
In its statement, the Adamson University reiterated that the Constitution clearly states that after one-third or all members of the House of Representatives have verified the complaint or filed the resolution of impeachment, the trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.
"This is a clear constitutional order to act immediately, and does not in any way imply that the Senate has discretionary powers in this regard. Thus, any delay or refusal to act undermines this express mandate and weakens the foundations of our democratic institutions," it wrote.
The university also included a message to senators. "Do what is right instead of what is convenient for you. You must immediately commence impeachment proceedings as mandated by the Constitution, without further delay. You have procrastinated far too long."
University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas, on June 8, released a short and simple message on Facebook.
"Respect the Constitution. Fulfill the duty. Forthwith proceed. Veritas."
San Beda University - Graduate School of Law professors
San Beda University's Graduate School of Law professors also urged the Senate to "obey the Constitution."
"There is no sound constitutional and legal basis for any delay in the trial. In fact, an undue delay sends the signal to the nation that mandated processes are thwarted for ulterior ends," they said in a statement.
Duterte attended classes at the San Beda College of Law. Her father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, earned his law degree from the university.
