Hontiveros chides impeachment court spokesman

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July 5, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros yesterday chided the spokesman for the Senate impeachment court for setting the course of the trial proper, saying only the senator-judges like her can decide on the court’s next actions.

Hontiveros was reacting to a statement Reginald Tongol made in a July 2 press briefing, that the new senator-judges who were elected in the midterm elections could not yet take their oaths before Sen. Francis Escudero before the court convenes on July 29. Escudero served as Senate president in the 19th Congress.

Tongol said this is because the House of Representatives prosecution team has yet to comply with a second court requirement for the panel to attest to its willingness to prosecute the case during the 20th Congress – which they can only do when the first regular session starts on July 28.

He added that in the 20th Congress, the senators must first elect a Senate president – who will sit  as presiding officer of the court – before the new senator-judges can take their oaths. Escudero is vying to retain the post against his closest contender, former senate president Vicente Sotto III.

“Atty. Tongol is entitled to speak in his own capacity, but, with all due respect, he does not reflect the voice of the Senate,” Hontiveros said.

She said the spokesman can only speak on behalf of the Presiding Officer, and not the 22 other senator-judges and her, who want an early reconvening of the court to finally start the long-delayed trial.

“As a deliberative body, the strength of the Senate is in its collective judgment. Based on his statements at a recent press conference, he represents only the position of the Presiding Officer. But he does not represent mine, as one of the senator-judges,” Hontiveros said.

She also criticized the leadership for claiming the court proceedings cannot yet start until the 20th Congress officially starts with its first regular session on July 28, only for them to “unilaterally decide” the course of the proceedings.

“Out of respect for the institution, I hope we can be more mindful of process and allow us senator-judges to decide only when we are properly convened,” she said.

Senate reporters tried to get Tongol’s side on the Viber group, but he has yet to respond.

‘Proceed with trial’

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not optional and should proceed once the 20th Congress formally convenes, reelected Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Flores said yesterday.

“No, it is not optional. As soon as it is filed, my understanding is the obligation of the Senate is to hear and decide the case,” Flores said over dzMM.

He insisted that the Constitution requires the Senate to try impeachment complaints transmitted from the House.

Asked about the possibility of the impeachment case being dismissed before trial, he said, “Their obligation under the Constitution is really to hear and decide. That is what is written in the Constitution. If they will only follow the Constitution, there is really going to be a trial.”

The House of Representatives, which approved the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte before adjourning the 19th Congress, is now awaiting the formal organization of the 20th Congress if it will decide to complete a required certification by the Senate impeachment court to proceed with the trial.

Flores acknowledged this procedural step, saying it is a condition set by the Senate before the trial may begin.

“No certification or compliance will be made until the 20th Congress is organized and starts. So that’s technically after the SONA on July 28,” he said.–  Jose Rodel Clapano