Bloodbath Impeachment Trial On Set | People’s Press PH

Editorial by Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

As the gavel strikes and the Senate officially convenes today as an impeachment court, the Philippine political arena braces for what could become one of the most divisive and consequential political events in decades the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

What started as a House-led charge citing misuse of confidential funds and allegations of abuse of power has now entered the Senate floor, where the stakes are no longer just legal they are historic, political, and deeply personal.

A Nation Divided

The term “bloodbath” may sound sensational, but it is fitting not because of physical violence, but due to the expected collision of political allegiances, public sentiment, and institutional power. With a Duterte political resurgence after the midterm elections and Senate allies ready to defend her, this trial is already drenched in pre-battle tension.

Senate President Chiz Escudero now sworn in as presiding officer of the impeachment court faces the challenge of a lifetime: how to hold a fair, impartial, and timely trial in a chamber split between loyalty, legality, and legacy.

Technicalities vs. Accountability

Some senators, notably Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, have floated a resolution seeking to dismiss the case outright, citing the constitutional 100-day rule for convening the impeachment court a deadline arguably missed due to Congress’ election break. While legally debatable, this motion underscores the political appetite to bury the trial before it even begins.

But brushing aside the process would do more damage to our democratic institutions than a failed conviction ever could. The people deserve to know whether Vice President Duterte used state resources inappropriately and wielded power beyond legal bounds. Sweeping such serious allegations under the rug would send a dangerous signal that the powerful remain untouchable.

The Two-Thirds Test

Let us not forget: conviction requires 16 out of 24 Senate votes. That is a tall order, especially with a Senate newly shaped by Duterte-aligned victors from the recent elections. This makes the trial not only a legal matter, but a barometer of political will. Will senators act as impartial jurists? Or as partisan players?

The public is watching and they are not blind.

What This Means for the Nation

This impeachment trial is not just about Vice President Sara Duterte. It is about whether our democratic system can still hold its leaders accountable. It is about ensuring that public office is a privilege of service, not a throne of immunity. And it is a test of whether the Philippine Senate often a symbol of independence and wisdom can still rise above political noise.

We call on our senators: Honor your oath. Be fair. Be firm. Be fearless.

Let this not be remembered as a farcical “bloodbath” of vengeance and political self-preservation, but as a defining moment when truth, justice, and the Constitution reigned.

The curtain has risen. The nation is seated.
Let the trial begin.