The articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte have been transmitted to the Senate. The documents were received by Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza. In line with this, the impeachment process will officially move to the upper chamber.

Following the transmission, gunshots were heard inside the Senate building, which caused tension and fear among media practitioners and the public.

In an interview with House Senior Deputy Minority Leader, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist, and House Prosecution Panel Member Representative Leila De Lima, she stated that the shooting incident shouldn’t affect the impeachment proceedings. 

The congresswoman further emphasized that one of the best solutions to the current situation is that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa must surrender to authorities, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Senator.

“Ang pinaka-solusyon ay i-surrender na talaga si Sen. Bato para maka-focus na ang institusyon doon sa kanyang constitutional duty na mag-convene na as an impeachment court at magsagawa na ng impeachment trial,” she said

[“The ultimate solution is to surrender Sen. Bato, so the institution may focus on its constitutional duty to convene as an impeachment court and conduct an impeachment trial.”]

De Lima also stated that the presence of Bato may influence or affect the impeachment proceedings. 

“So his continued presence there really would taint the institution, the Senate as an institution, and if he participates, lalo na sa impeachment process na mayroong nagpaparticipate na isang fugitive,” she said

[“So his continued presence there really would taint the institution, the Senate as an institution, and if he participates, especially in the impeachment process where there is one fugitive participating.”]