Progressive groups demand Senate convene impeachment court for VP Sara Duterte

Progressive groups, including Akbayan Partylist, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party, and Tindig Pilipinas, organized a three-day series of mass actions from June 9 to 11 to urge the Senate to convene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte.

Protesters gathered in front of the Senate building on Monday, June 9, chanting slogans such as "Put Sara Duterte on trial, put on trial!" and "Implement the Constitution, impeachment trial now!"

The planned actions aim to pressure the Senate into holding an impeachment trial, asserting it is the Senate's constitutional duty.

Akbayan Partylist President Rafaela David stated that delaying this duty violates senators' sworn oaths and disrespects the Constitution.

Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of the late former Senator Ninoy Aquino, reminded the Senate that impeachment is an instrument for accountability and justice, emphasizing that the mechanism for accountability is broken if the Senate solely decides whether to conduct a trial.

This movement follows the Senate President's decision to move the reading of impeachment articles from June 2 to June 11, the last session day of the 19th Congress.

This delay reportedly follows senators' consideration of dismissing the impeachment articles outright.