via Janicca Bunao, Pressroom PH
The Senate has voted to archive the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, rejecting a motion by Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto to halt the proceedings.
In a tense August 6 plenary session, Sotto argued for tabling Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s motion to dismiss the case, saying the chamber should await the Supreme Court’s resolution of the House’s motion for reconsideration.
The high court had earlier sided with Duterte, ruling her impeachment unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule and denying her due process before the articles reached the Senate.
After hours of debate, the Senate voted 5-19 to junk Sotto’s motion.
At Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s suggestion, Marcoleta amended his proposal, replacing “dismiss” with “archive” to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Majority Leader Joel Villanueva formalized the amendment, citing the Court’s declaration that the Senate lacked jurisdiction.
Marcoleta agreed to the amendment, and the Senate moved to a nominal vote, giving members the chance to explain their positions before approving the motion to archive.
The vote closes the chapter on the impeachment, though only for the time being.
