Quezon City: A constitutional law professor has emphasized the need for impartiality among senator-judges involved in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. Lawyer Jennifer Arlene Reyes highlighted the importance of serving the interests of the Filipino people over any personal or political affiliations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Reyes urged members of the impeachment court to remember their duty as the sole judges of the impeachment case. She stressed the importance of letting conscience and political will guide their decisions rather than biases and alliances. Reyes reiterated the necessity for senator-judges to feel accountable to the public and to prioritize their loyalty to the constitution, as it embodies the will of the Filipino people.

Reyes reminded the senator-judges of their role as representatives of the people, urging them to demonstrate to the electorate that they are deserving of the public's trust. She criticized any manifest partiality or bias, challenging senators to display ethical conduct, or "delicadeza," by recusing themselves from the trial if necessary.

The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, recently voted 18-5 to return the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte to the House of Representatives. This decision, presented by Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano, was intended as a compromise to maintain constitutional integrity while keeping the case open for further action. Despite returning the articles, the court issued a formal writ of summons to the Vice President, requiring her to respond to the charges in Article I of the complaint. The summons was served by the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and received by the Office of the Vice President on June 11, mandating Duterte to respond within three days.