HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list on Friday responded to Sen. Cynthia Villar’s assertion that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was transmitted to the Senate on February 5, which she said was the last day of session.
Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, clarified that based on Concurrent Resolution No. 22, the last session day before the recess was February 7, meaning the Senate had time to act on the impeachment complaint.
“With all due respect to our good senator, Ma’am Cynthia, maliwanag po sa legislative calendar na hindi pa tapos ang sesyon nang matanggap ng Senado ang Articles of Impeachment. May dalawang araw pa sila para umaksyon kung talagang gusto nilang simulan agad ang proseso. It’s a leadership issue,”
Acidre said.
He also rejected claims that the House of Representatives delayed the impeachment process, pointing out that the chamber acted decisively to transmit the Articles of Impeachment in the fastest possible manner.
“With 215 members of the House endorsing the impeachment, the Articles of Impeachment were immediately sent to the Senate – fast-tracking the process. Kung dadaan pa ito sa Justice Committee, mas matagal sana ang naging proseso,” Acidre explained.
He emphasized that from the moment the impeachment complaints were filed, House members had already been engaged in discussions to consolidate and strengthen the case.
“To say that the House ‘stalled’ or ‘delayed’ the impeachment is simply not true. We moved efficiently, ensuring the process was both swift and thorough,” he said.
Acidre underscored that the 1987 Constitution explicitly requires the Senate to act “forthwith” upon receiving the Articles of Impeachment – a mandate that, he noted, remains unfulfilled.
“Ang Saligang Batas mismo ang nagsasabing dapat agad simulan ang impeachment trial. Hindi ito pwedeng ipagpaliban dahil impeachment ang pinag-uusapan – isang proseso na may malaking epekto sa tiwala ng tao sa gobyerno,” Acidre said.
He cautioned that delaying the impeachment trial only benefits Vice President Duterte by allowing her to remain in power despite serious allegations regarding the misuse of public funds.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Habang hindi sinisimulan ang impeachment trial, mas nagkakaroon ng impresyon na pwedeng balewalain ang pananagutan sa gobyerno,” Acidre said.
He also expressed concerns that prolonged delays in the Senate could make the process vulnerable to external influence, misinformation, and attempts to weaken the case.
“Kung patatagalin pa ito, hindi na ebidensya ang mananaig kundi pulitika. Mas dadami ang intriga, at mas mahirap ipaliwanag sa taumbayan kung bakit walang linaw ang proseso,” he warned.
Recalling past impeachment cases, Acidre reminded the Senate that proceedings have historically been handled without unnecessary delays, citing the swift action taken in the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“May mga naunang impeachment cases na mabilis na tinugunan ng Senado.l? May malinaw nang gabay sa ating Saligang Batas tungkol sa impeachment,” Acidre pointed out.
He urged the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty and move forward with the impeachment trial, stressing that accountability and justice must not be dictated by political convenience.
“Impeachment is about upholding justice and ensuring that government officials remain accountable. Acting ‘forthwith’ is not just a legal and constitutional duty – it is a moral obligation. The Senate must act now,” Acidre concluded. (
