Protesters rally in numbers at Senate over Duterte trial delay

MANILA, Philippines — Protesters on Wednesday filled the streets in front of the Senate building to call out the upper chamber for once again delaying the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Diokno Boulevard in front of the Senate building, led by several groups that included Akbayan Party and Tindig Pilipinas.

READ: Sara Duterte impeachment: What you need to know

Initially part of a series of mass actions to pressure the Senate to convene as in impeachment court against Duterte, Wednesday’s protest focused on calling out the 18 senators who voted to return the articles of impeachment against the Vice President to the House of Representatives.

The controversial move was seen as another stalling tactic to prevent the impeachment trial from pushing through.

“Senate President Chiz [Francis Escudero] and the 18 senators who pushed to return and once again stall the impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives are once again causing major delays,” said Akbayan Party president Rafaela David in a chance interview.

“It is clear that this is a blatant violation of our Constitution,” she added.

David said the protest was held to call on the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty, and maybe provide the needed courage for other senators to actually take their role seriously.

“We can see that they seem to be backing down again, so maybe they need the strength and support of the people to help them find the courage to stand firm,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tindig Pilipinas Co-Convener Kiko Aquino Dee stated that the protesters are calling out the so-called senator-judges for attempting to defend Duterte themselves, showing that they prioritize their own interests over their constitutional duties.

“Where have you ever seen a court where the judge defends the defendant even before the defendant can speak for themselves??” Dee pointed out.

Despite the development, Dee expressed optimism that justice will prevail, stating that history has proven that it is always the people who win in the end.

“It seems that the 18 senators were the ones who won last night, but in the end, throughout the history of the Philippines, it has always been the people who prevail, it is always what is right that triumphs — and that is what we will make sure wins today,” he said.

It was on Tuesday when the Senate finally convened as an impeachment court after months of sitting on the impeachment complaint transmitted by the House of Representatives.

Its first move after convening, however, was to return to the House of Representatives the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte “without dismissing nor terminating the case.”

READ: Impeachment court sends Sara Duterte case back to House

Only five senators voted against the move, specifically, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay and Sherwin Gatchalian. /das

(2025/06/11-15:05)