Protesters rally at the Senate on Monday, urging lawmakers to proceed with Vice President Sara Duterte鈥檚 impeachment trial.
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Protesters gathered in front of the Senate building on Monday to urge the upper chamber to fulfill its constitutional mandate of trying the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Several groups and coalitions, including Akbayan Party, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party, and Tindig Pilipinas, led the protest, which began at around 9:30 a.m.
They assembled in front of the Manila Film Center in Pasay City before marching toward the Senate building.
Upon arrival, the protesters held an ecumenical program led by Fr. Flavie Villanueva.
鈥淧ut Sara Duterte on trial, put on trial!鈥� protesters chanted as they marched and arrived in front of the Senate.
鈥淚mplement the Constitution, impeachment trial now!鈥� they added.
On the sidelines of the rally, Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of the late former Senator Ninoy Aquino, reminded the Senate that the impeachment trial is an instrument meant to hold the vice president accountable.
鈥淚mpeachment may not be convenient for lawmakers, but it is a tool to achieve justice and accountability of the Vice President,鈥� said Dee in a chance interview.
If we allow the Senate alone to decide when鈥攐r even if鈥攖hey will conduct an impeachment, then our mechanism for achieving accountability is truly broken so June 11 cannot pass without the acceptance of the articles of impeachment,鈥� he added.
Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep.-elect Leila de Lima during the program also called on the Senate to convene the impeachment court as soon as possible.
鈥淎t the very least, the trial should begin. Whether it鈥檚 completed or not during the 19th Congress, it must be started,鈥� De Lima said in a speech
鈥淎nd it will begin with the Senate itself convening,鈥� she added.
This protest marks the first in a series of mass actions scheduled to run until Wednesday, June 11.
The protests come amid heated discourse surrounding Duterte鈥檚 trial, especially after the Senate postponed the presentation of the articles of impeachment from June 2 to June 11.
READ: Presentation of impeachment articles vs Sara Duterte moved to June 11
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives with a vote of 215 to 0 on February 5. The verified complaint was sent to the Senate the same day; however, her case has remained pending in the 19th Congress. | with reports from Nelson Jr. Caparas/mcm