Five senators, namely Risa Hontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Grace Poe, were not exhibiting bias when they voted against sending Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment articles back to the House of Representatives, according to House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora.

Zamora emphasized that these senator-judges demonstrated adherence to the Constitution and Senate impeachment rules rather than any partiality towards the Vice President.

Last week, the five senators opposed a motion to remand the impeachment articles, which originated from a fellow senator-judge, Ronald Bato dela Rosa, who initially sought to dismiss the case outright without a trial. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano later amended the motion to send back the articles, which was approved by a vote of 18-5.

Despite voting against the motion, Zamora clarified that it does not imply that these senators are against Vice President Duterte. The Constitution requires the Senate impeachment court to proceed with the trial promptly upon receiving the impeachment articles, which were submitted over four months ago on Feb. 5.

The seven articles of impeachment against Duterte include allegations of conspiracy, malversation of funds, bribery, corruption, unexplained wealth, involvement in extrajudicial killings, destabilization, and the respondent's overall conduct as Vice President.