PINURI ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez si Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero at ang pamunuan ng Senado sa kanilang ginagawang paghahanda para sa nalalapit na impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The Senate has shown its commitment to upholding due process and ensuring a fair and impartial impeachment trial. I extend my deepest gratitude to Senate President Escudero and the entire Senate for their readiness and professionalism in handling this historic proceeding,” ani Speaker Romualdez, isang abogado na nagtapos sa University of the Philippines (UP).

“The House has done its part in transmitting the Articles of Impeachment, and our prosecution panel is ready to present the case as soon as the impeachment court is convened. We trust that the Senate will carry out its constitutional duty and proceed with the trial without unnecessary delays, in accordance with the rule of law,” dagdag pa niya.

Nauna nang bumisita si House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco at iba pang opisyal ng Kamara sa Senado upang inspeksiyunin ang mga pasilidad na ilalaan para sa House prosecution team at gagamitin sa isasagawang impeachment trial.

“Nakita natin sa pagbisita ng ating House Secretary General sa Senado ang kahandaan ng ating mga kasamahan sa Mataas na Kapulungan. Napakahalaga ng maaga at maayos na paghahanda upang matiyak ang kaayusan pagdating ng impeachment trial,” aniya.

Unang binisita ng grupo ni Velasco ang Senate session hall, na magsisilbing lugar para sa paglilitis, bago nagtungo sa Sen. Arturo M. Tolentino Room, na inilaan bilang opisina ng House prosecutors.

Tiniyak din ni Speaker Romualdez sa publiko na handang-handa na ang House prosecution team upang iharap ang kanilang kaso sa oras na magsimula ang paglilitis.

“Ang report sa akin ng mga House prosecutors, handa na sila na mag-present ng kaso anomang oras buksan ang Impeachment Court,” ayon kay Speaker Romualdez.

Binigyang-diin niya na masusing sinuri ng prosecution panel ang mga ebidensiya at legal arguments upang matiyak ang matibay at makatotohanang presentasyon sa harap ng Senado na tatayong impeachment court.

“The House prosecution panel will have the necessary facilities to conduct their work efficiently. We have the Senate to thank for this. It ensures that our representatives can fulfill their constitutional duty to present the impeachment case in a dignified and professional manner,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

Binigyang-diin din niya ang kahalagahan ng pakikipagtulungan ng Senado upang matiyak ang maayos na proseso ng paglilitis.

“The Senate, led by Senate President Escudero, has taken decisive steps to ensure that all necessary preparations are in place. This level of coordination between the House and the Senate is vital in upholding our democratic processes,” aniya.

Muli niyang ipinaalala na ang impeachment trial ay isang solemn constitutional process na kailangang isagawa nang may pinakamataas na integridad at pagiging patas.

“This is about ensuring that our democratic institutions remain strong, credible, and accountable to the Filipino people. I trust that the Senate will exercise its role as the impeachment court with the utmost fairness and independence,” dagdag pa niya.

Tiniyak rin ng Speaker na ang House prosecution panel ay nakatuon sa pagpapakita ng kaso nang may objectivity at pagsunod sa rule of law.

“We are here to follow the process laid out in our Constitution. The House has done its part in impeaching the Vice President, and now it is up to the Senate to conduct a fair trial based on facts and evidence,” aniya.

Binigyang-diin ni Speaker Romualdez na ang impeachment trial ay isang pagkakataon upang ipakita ang tibay ng mga demokratikong institusyon ng bansa.

“This is a test of our commitment to accountability and the rule of law. The world is watching, and we must show that the Philippines stands firmly on the side of justice,” aniya.

Habang papalapit ang paglilitis, muling tiniyak ni Speaker Romualdez ang kahandaan ng Kamara na makipagtulungan sa Senado upang maging maayos ang pagdaraos ng impeachment trial.

“We will continue to work closely with the Senate to ensure a fair, transparent, and credible impeachment trial. Our commitment is to the Filipino people and to the integrity of our democratic system,” dagdag pa ni Speaker Romualdez.