Sumulat si Senador Koko Pimentel kay Senate President Chiz Escudero upang igiit na dapat nang dinggin ng Senado ang impeachment complaint laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte dahil nakasaad daw sa Konstitusyon ang salitang “forthwith,” na may Filipino translation na “agad.”

Sa isang sulat na may petsang Pebrero 14 at inilabas nitong Martes, Pebrero 18, binigyang-diin ni Pimentel ang “constitutional mandate” kung saan dapat agad umanong umaksyon ang Senado sa impeachment case ni Duterte.

“As provided under Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 4 of the 1987 Constitution: ‘In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House of Representatives, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall FORTHWITH proceed’,” ani Pimentel sa sulat niya kay Escudero.

“Since it is a constitutional provision or term we are giving meaning to, the term ‘forthwith’ must be interpreted in accordance with the Verba Legis Rule, that is, it should be given its "plain and ordinary meaning’.”

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Binanggit din ni Pimentel  ang kahulugan ng “forthwith” sa Merriam Webster Online Dictionary na "without any delay" o "without interval of time.”

“Its synonyms include immediately, instantaneously, instantly, presently, promptly, right away, right now, straight off, and straightaway, among others,” saad ng senador.

“Considering that the 1987 Constitution was promulgated in both English and Filipino, we must examine its official Filipino translation:

‘Kung ang pinanumpaang sakdal o resolusyon sa impeachment ay iniharap ng isang-katlo man lamang ng lahat ng mga Kagawad ng Kapulungan, lyon ay dapat bumuo sa Articles of Impeachment, at dapat isunod AGAD ang paglilitis ng Senado’.”

Pagbanggit pa ni Pimentel, kasingkahulugan din ng Filipino translation ng “forthwith” na “agad” ang "madali," "bigla," "dagli," o "karakaraka.

“The above elaboration affirms that it is the Senate's duty to act on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte ‘without any delay’ or ‘without interval of time.’ I repeat that this is the Senate's DUTY,” giit ni Pimentel.

“Given the gravity of impeachment proceedings, it is imperative that the Senate uphold its duty with urgency, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response,” saad pa niya.

Habang isinusulat ito’y wala pang tugon, reaksiyon, o pahayag si Escudero tungkol dito.

Matatandaang kamakailan lamang nang sabihin ni Escudero na magsisimula ang paglilitis ng Senado sa naipasang impeachment complaint laban kay Duterte pagkatapos ng State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

MAKI-BALITA: Impeachment trial kay VP Sara, sisimulan pagkatapos ng SONA – SP Chiz

Noong Pebrero 5 nang maiakyat na sa Senado ang ikaapat na impeachment complaint laban kay Duterte matapos itong aprubahan ng House of Representatives sa pamamagitan ng mahigit 215 na pirma ng mga mambabatas.

MAKI-BALITA: ALAMIN: Listahan ng solons na pumirma sa impeachment laban kay VP Sara