The Senate should continue holding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte even if she resigns from office as there are two possible penalties if she is convicted, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Luistro said that an impeachment trial carries two “principal penalties” — removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Should Duterte resign, only the first penalty will be rendered irrelevant.
“We need to continue the trial for the senator-judges to be able to determine whether they will impose as well the penalty of perpetual disqualification,” Luistro said.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, an elected prosecutor for Duterte’s trial who was also present during the press briefing, agreed with Luistro’s opinion.
“It’s a very valid observation made by our chair,” he said.