Khonghun urges Senate to start Duterte’s impeachment trial now, uphold democracy, ensure safety

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun on Sunday urged senators to consider the gravity of charges against Vice President Sara Duterte as they prepare for her impeachment trial.

Khonghun emphasized that if a government official threatened to assassinate the President, First Lady, and Speaker of the House, how would senators respond?

He stressed that moving forward with the impeachment trial is crucial for upholding democratic institutions and ensuring accountability among public officials.

The prosecution panel is prepared to present strong evidence, including videos of Duterte's alleged threats during her press conference in November 2024.

Khonghun noted that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges for grave threats and inciting to sedition against Vice President Duterte with the Department of Justice (DoJ).

He urged the Senate impeachment court to start trying the Vice President forthwith, as mandated by the Constitution, to uphold democratic institutions and ensure the security of the President and every Filipino.

Khonghun added that any delay benefits Duterte and gives her more opportunity to carry out her threats.