By Randy Espares Jr. 

Far Eastern University (FEU) Central Student Organization, FEU Institute of Law (IL) faculty members, and other student-led groups released statements urging to no longer impede the impeachment trial of Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte after the Senate convened yesterday, June 10. 

The joint statement of FEUCSO and FEU Law Student Council encouraged to stop the political maneuvering and emphasized the importance of following the Constitution in service of the Filipino people. 

“Our voice, as the student body, has never been just a 'command' to the Senate President to act on the impeachment but a reminder of the power delegated only by the people to him,” the statement read. 

Last December 2024, four separate impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte with the fourth complaint garnering 215 signatories from congressmen on February 5. 

The complaint was immediately transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate on the same day. 

However, due to a congressional recess, the trial was put on hold until June with the Upper Chamber only sworn as jurors yesterday, June 10. 

After an 18 affirmative, 5 against, 0 abstain voting results in the Senate last night, the articles of impeachment of VP Duterte will be returned to the House of Representatives.

The minority bloc then argued that remanding the case to the lower chamber is on par with dismissing it. 

FEU IL professors, with the institute’s former dean, Mel Sta. Maria, also released a statement calling for a trial. 

“Payak lamang po ang nais ng mga pumirmang propesor ng Far Eastern University Institute of Law. Ito ay ang sumunod at igalang ang napakalinaw na utos ng Saligang Batas—ang MAGLITIS AT MAGHATOL (The professors from the Far Eastern University Institute of Law who signed the statement have a simple desire. To follow and respect the clear mandate of the Constitution—to TRY and DECIDE),” it read. 

Other Tamaraw organizations such as FEU Political Science Society, FEU Peace to All Youth Organization, and FEU Psychology Society also expressed their call for constitutional accountability through their respective Facebook pages. 

(Photos courtesy of FEU Central Student Organization, FEU Institute of Law, FEU Political Science Society, FEU Peace to All Youth Organization, and FEU Psychology Society.)