Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Explanation of vote
June 10, 2025
Mr. President, having previously served two terms in the Senate and participated in an impeachment proceeding in the past, I can confidently say that I am no longer inexperienced when it comes to handling matters related to the impeachment process.
Personally, malalim ang hugot ko sa issue ng impeachment dahil minsan nang pinagdaanan ito ng aming pamilya, nang ipa-impeach ang aking ama, si dating Presidente Joseph Estrada, noong panahon ng panunungkulan niya. Hindi siya nabigyan na patas na paglilitis dahil naudlot ito bunsod ng pag-walk out ng mga miyembro ng prosecution panel sa kalagitnaan ng isinasagawang pagdinig noon ng Senado. And the rest, as they say, is history.
That’s why I feel strongly about following each step in the Constitution. It’s a sensitive matter that I take to heart.
Mr. President, I vote in favor of remanding the impeachment complaint to the House of Representatives, in full adherence to the provisions laid down in our Constitution. The process clearly begins in the House, and it is only proper that we respect this mandate to ensure fairness, due process, and institutional integrity. However, the process should be strictly done in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws or procedure.
Ginoong Pangulo, makailang beses ko nang nasabi ito, na ang impeachment trial ay nagdudulot lamang ng pagkakawatak-watak sa ating bansa. Gayunpaman, bilang halal na lingkod-bayan, batid ko ang mabigat na responsibilidad na kaakibat sa pagiging senador – ang umupo bilang isang hurado sa impeachment trial at nakahanda akong tuparin ito.
Sa mandatong sinumpaan ko, tungkulin ko na siguruhin na marerespeto ang tamang proseso, mapanatili ang integridad ng ating institusyon at higit sa lahat, tiyakin na ang impeachment proceeding ay maging patas.
I am well aware that impeachment is a political process, not a judicial one. However, even in a political process like impeachment, we must adhere to established procedures to ensure that actions are neither arbitrary or driven solely by political agendas.
Mr. Presiding Officer, after hearing the positions articulated by some of our colleagues, I too am convinced that the matter of the impeachment complaint should be remanded to the House of Representatives.
Thank you Mr. Presiding Officer.