VP's arrest warrant has no effect on impeachment trial – Senate President

MANILA, Philippines — The recent arrest warrant issued against Vice President Sara Duterte will have no bearing on the ongoing Senate impeachment trial, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday. He emphasized that the Quezon City Regional Trial Court’s finding of probable cause for grave threats is a distinct judicial process that will not influence the direction of the impeachment trial. “This is my personal opinion, it does not have an effect for me and the impeachment because it is a different court,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview on dzBB. “The court has determined probable cause and there will be a hearing but that doesn’t mean she is guilty. That is the same with the impeachment court, there will be a presentation to the defense and other decisions,” he added. Addressing suspicions raised by Sen. Bong Go regarding the “timing” of the warrant’s release during the height of the Senate trial, Gatchalian maintained that the chamber has no control over concurrent investigations conducted by other government branches. Amid the legal battles, Gatchalian also called on the Philippine National Police to proactively investigate the alleged threats against the Vice President’s life and her family. He stressed that state forces are obligated to protect all citizens, regardless of their position.