The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI), the country's oldest business group, has urged the Senate to promptly initiate the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing the constitutional and moral obligation of the Senate to do so.

According to the CCPI, the Constitution specifies that if at least one-third of the House members file a resolution of impeachment, the Senate must immediately proceed with the trial. The Constitution does not recognize changes in Senate membership, breaks, or recesses once it convenes as an impeachment court.

The CCPI highlighted the negative impact of not following the Constitution on the business community, locally and internationally, and emphasized the importance of good governance as per its Economic Compass Pillars.

The Chamber emphasized the importance of the Senate upholding the rule of law and ensuring due process for Duterte. It called on the Senate members to fulfill their official duties as mandated by the Constitution.

Notable signatories of the CCPI statement include its president, Jose Luis Yulo Jr.; chair Benigno Ricafort; corporate secretary Ceferino Benedicto; and treasurer Paulino Dionisio Jr.

Various organizations, including universities and civil society groups, have also urged the Senate to convene as an impeachment court promptly, especially after the delay in presenting the articles of impeachment against Duterte.

Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives with 215 votes on February 5. The impeachment complaint was forwarded to the Senate on the same day, but the case has remained pending in the 19th Congress.