Progressive groups marched to the Senate in Pasay City on May 18 as senators convened as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial. Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), they called for Duterte to be promptly tried and held accountable for her crimes and corruption.

Newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano led the convening of the impeachment court. He and 22 other senators took oath to serve as senator-judges. Meanwhile, International Criminal Court fugitive Sen. Bato dela Rosa was not in the Senate.

The court’s agenda included the formal summons of Duterte on a yet unspecified date. It ordered the impeached vice president to file her answer to the Articles of Impeachment within 10 days from receipt of the notice. The court gave the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel five days to respond once Duterte’s camp files its answer to the senators-judges’ notice.

The impeachment court also formally registered the 11-member prosecution team from the House of Representatives. Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro was named lead prosecutor.

Meanwhile, the prosecution team assigned their spokespersons, including Kabataan Rep. Atty. Renee Co. “We expect to bring the voice of the youth who are calling for justice,” Co said.

People demand accountability

“Holding Sara Duterte accountable is the only result the people expect from her shameless plunder and theft of the people’s funds,” Bayan said. It added that the people will closely watch for any attempt to block, delay, or sabotage the trial.

Bayan added, “truth and justice must prevail and not the selfish political interests of pro-Duterte senators.” Cayetano and his group of 12 majority senators are known pro-Duterte allies. Cayetano’s camp staged a coup against former Senate president Tito Sotto on May 11 to seize power.

Beyond Duterte’s accountability, Bayan said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr should also continue to be exposed and held to account for sabotaging and delaying Duterte’s impeachment’ “From the start, Marcos Jr agreed to give ₱150 million confidential funds to his former Uniteam ally without legal basis. This is the money Sara squandered and stole in just one day,” the group said.

Bayan called on the Filipino people to continue to take action and protest to push for a swift and unimpeded Senate trial of Duterte. “We call on the public to remain vigilant, form or join ‘Impeachment Watch’ activities in schools, communities and workplaces,” Bayan said.

Protests against impunity should be increased, the group said. “Let us continue the struggle for truth, accountability, and justice,” the group said.