Pimentel urges Tolentino to prep for Duterte VP impeachment

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III urged Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Tuesday, February 25, to initiate preparatory work for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Pimentel stressed that constitutional duties should take precedence over election campaigns and called on the Senate rules committee to review and finalize guidelines for the impeachment process without delay.

He reiterated his call for a caucus among senators to discuss the impeachment proceedings despite ongoing midterm polls where many are seeking reelection or local positions.

The minority leader asserted that starting the trial in June would contravene constitutional mandates, emphasizing that 'forthwith' implies immediate action.

Some have raised the possibility of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calling for a special session to convene on the impeachment trial, though Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted this may send the wrong message and there has been no request for such a session yet.