MANILA. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano assured the public on Tuesday that the Senate will act without delay and fulfill its constitutional duty once the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is received.
When asked if the Senate would convene immediately upon transmission of the Articles of Impeachment, Cayetano responded, "Forthwith."
"There won't be delays. You judge us on our action," he told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.
The newly elected Senate leader said he had spoken with former Senate President Vicente Sotto III about the impeachment process and agreed that the complaint should first be referred to the Senate Committee on Rules in accordance with procedure.
"He said, process. Refer it first to the Committee on Rules. So, we will do what has to be done and there won't be delays," he said.
Cayetano revealed that he plans to hold a caucus with all members to ensure that decisions regarding the impeachment process reflect the sentiment of the entire Senate, not just one group.
"That's why I want a majority focus so that it's not a decision of only one group," he added.
Nevertheless, Cayetano emphasized that the Senate must continue to address urgent national issues despite the looming impeachment.
"We cannot focus on impeachment alone because there are so many primarily economic issues that we have to face," he said.
He warned that prolonged uncertainty over the impeachment process could distract lawmakers from other pressing legislative tasks.
"The country needs us in other capacities. So the longer this drags out, the more our attention is there," he said.
At the same time, Cayetano underscored the importance of the impeachment process as a mechanism for accountability under the Constitution.
