Manila, Philippines – June 5, 2025 – Faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law have issued an open letter to the Senate, calling for the immediate commencement of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The letter, titled “To Proceed Forthwith,” expresses concern over moves to declare the impeachment case as “functionally or de facto dismissed” and emphasizes the Senate’s constitutional duty to act on the matter promptly.
The open letter, signed by individual UP Law faculty members, underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and accountability through the impeachment process. “A premature dismissal will undermine the core democratic principle,” the letter states, urging the Senate to allow the trial to proceed so that “the truth may unfold.” The faculty argues that failing to act on the impeachment articles transmitted by the House of Representatives on February 5, 2025, risks eroding public trust in the constitutional process.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint, citing allegations of betrayal of public trust, graft, corruption, and other high crimes, including the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City. The Senate, tasked with acting as the impeachment court, has faced delays, with the presentation of the articles of impeachment postponed from June 2 to June 11 to prioritize legislative agendas before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 14.
The UP Law faculty’s letter comes amid speculation that the impeachment trial may not proceed, particularly with a draft Senate resolution, reportedly initiated by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, seeking to dismiss the case.
The resolution argues that the Senate’s failure to act promptly upon receiving the impeachment articles constitutes a “de facto dismissal” under the 1987 Constitution. However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has denied that such a resolution has been formally filed, and critics, including incoming ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima, have called any move to dismiss the case prematurely a violation of constitutional duty.
De Lima, a former senator and justice secretary who has been named to the House prosecution panel, emphasized that the Senate must convene as an impeachment court before any dismissal can be considered. She and other proponents of the trial argue that abandoning the process would signal that those in power are beyond accountability, a sentiment echoed in the UP Law faculty’s letter.
The open letter also addresses procedural concerns raised by Vice President Duterte, who has challenged the impeachment’s validity, citing jurisdictional issues and procedural lapses, particularly regarding the potential carryover of the case from the 19th to the 20th Congress. Duterte has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to halt the trial, while her legal team is reportedly preparing for a contentious defense, with the Vice President herself describing the trial as a “bloodbath” she is eager to face.
Public sentiment on the impeachment remains divided.
A Pulse Asia survey conducted from May 6 to 9, 2025, found that 50% of respondents disagreed with the impeachment, while 28% supported it. Despite this, the UP Law faculty insists that the trial must proceed to ensure transparency and fairness, allowing both the prosecution and defense to present their evidence.
As the Senate prepares to receive the House prosecution panel on June 11, the UP College of Law’s open letter serves as a clarion call for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional mandate. The faculty’s stance reinforces the gravity of the impeachment process as a mechanism for accountability, urging lawmakers to prioritize justice over political considerations.
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