De Lima Challenges Duterte Impeachment Dismissal Draft

De Lima Weighs in on Duterte Impeachment Dismissal Proposal Quezon City, Philippines – Former Senator and former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, now a representative-elect for the ML Party-list, has expressed her legal opinion on a purported Senate draft resolution aiming to dismiss the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. The statement was made during a press conference at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus on June 4, 2025. De Lima, known for her legal expertise, voiced concerns about the draft's constitutionality. "The very text itself of that resolution, if that is in fact the contents of that draft resolution, is clearly unconstitutional," she stated. She emphasized that the draft did not adhere to the Philippine Constitution's procedures for impeachment. The press conference also touched on the broader context of accountability and the importance of upholding the integrity of the impeachment process within a democratic system. De Lima's comments provide valuable insight into the legal arguments surrounding this high-profile political matter. The event underscores the ongoing debate about the impeachment trial and the legal challenges it faces.