Azcuna: VP Sara's impeachment can proceed in 20th Congress

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, who drafted the accountability provisions of the 1987 Constitution, stated that an impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can continue in the 20th Congress if the Senate initiates it before the current session adjourns.

Azcuna clarified that the articles of impeachment must be read and served on the Vice President to establish the Senate's jurisdiction over the case.

He asserted that an impeachment trial is a constituent power and, according to the Constitution, must "proceed" until completion, thus it does not lapse with the outgoing Congress.

This contradicts the argument by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino that the impeachment case would be dismissed if the 19th Congress adjourns without resolving it.

Senator JV Ejercito previously asserted that the Senate is constitutionally obligated to commence the impeachment trial, regardless of when it concludes, and that initiating the trial is a legal and political necessity.