Sen Bato dela Rosa initiates Senate resolution to dismiss VP Duterte’s impeachment case

Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa confirmed on Wednesday that he initiated a Senate resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Dela Rosa, an ally of the Duterte family, told reporters that the draft resolution was his own initiative and is currently under consultation with colleagues without informing the Vice President.

He indicated that once he has gathered sufficient support, he will file his version of the resolution which could incorporate provisions from other draft resolutions seen by him.

Minority Leader Koko Pimentel questioned the authenticity of the document citing flawed logic and inaccurate constitutional provision quotations.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 but the Senate failed to act upon it due to Congress' three-month recess, prompting Dela Rosa's initiative.

ML Representative-elect Leila de Lima said that the Senate must convene itself into an impeachment court before dismissing the case, adding another layer of procedural complexity.