The House of Representatives transmitted the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate on May 13. The move came amid an alleged shooting incident inside the building and sets the stage for a Senate trial.
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil delivered the articles to Senate Secretary Mark Mendoza at about 7:20 p.m. Multiple shots were fired by officers of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms accompanied by armed Philippine Marines before the documents were handed over.
A total of 257 House members voted in favor of impeachment, with 25 votes against and nine abstentions. This marks the second impeachment of Duterte by the House, a first for any Philippine official.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal urged the public to monitor how the case will be resolved rather than whether the trial begins. He noted that Duterte’s legal team may file a motion to dismiss, which would require only 13 votes in the Senate where allies hold the majority.
Vice President Sara Duterte stated she has no feelings about the impeachment and will leave the matter to her spokesperson and defense team. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the upper chamber will not delay the proceedings once the articles are received.
