MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III clarified on Thursday that the Senate would immediately act on any impeachment case transmitted by the House of Representatives, interpreting the constitutional term “forthwith” as action to be taken “the following day.”
Sotto made the statement amid renewed discussions surrounding the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, following the House Committee on Justice’s unanimous finding of probable cause in two complaints.
“If ever we receive the Articles of Impeachment, we will act on it forthwith. For me, ‘forthwith’ means the following day,” Sotto said during a media briefing.
The Senate chief’s remarks came after the Supreme Court recently explained that the term “forthwith,” as stated in the 1987 Constitution regarding impeachment proceedings, should be understood as action taken “within a reasonable time,” depending on the situation.
Sotto, however, emphasized the Senate’s constitutional independence, noting that while the court’s ruling addressed a specific petition, the Senate remains a co-equal branch of government and retains its authority in handling its internal proceedings.
The constitutional provision requires the Senate to proceed with an impeachment trial once the House files the Articles of Impeachment, but the interpretation of “forthwith” has become a key issue in recent legal and political debates.
The Supreme Court earlier clarified that while the Constitution does not impose a strict timetable for the Senate to begin trial proceedings, any delay must remain reasonable and should not compromise public accountability.
The discussion over the term has resurfaced as lawmakers prepare for the possible elevation of impeachment cases to the Senate, placing renewed attention on how quickly the upper chamber is expected to respond.