Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile suggested two ways to resolve the current deadlock over Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. One option is to move forward with the proceedings, while the other involves seeking clarification from the Supreme Court (SC).

Enrile, who previously served as the Senate President during Chief Justice Renato Corona's impeachment trial, emphasized the importance of setting aside alleged issues and proceeding with the trial. He highlighted the precedent that articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives are considered legal and regular.

While acknowledging the possibility of going to the SC for interpretation, Enrile expressed his preference for continuing the trial without delay. He cited past impeachment cases involving former President Joseph Estrada and Chief Justice Corona as examples.

Following Duterte's impeachment last February, the Senate faced challenges in commencing the trial due to procedural issues. Despite the requirement being fulfilled with one-third of House members filing the complaint, the trial did not start before the session adjourned.

When the trial was set to begin, the Senate opted to return the articles to the House, citing constitutional concerns. Enrile noted that while there might be a dilemma, the Senate could proceed with the trial instead of remanding the articles.

Enrile raised questions about the Senate's handling of impeachment rules, emphasizing the need for timely resolution as mandated by the Constitution. He criticized the delay in addressing the articles and the decision to return them to the House.

Despite the challenges, Enrile stressed the urgency of resolving the impasse to prevent further complications. He highlighted the need for clarity either through SC interpretation or constitutional amendments.

With the House planning to seek clarification on the Senate's remand decision, the impeachment proceedings remain in limbo. The prosecution team aims to address uncertainties before proceeding with the trial.

Duterte's impeachment was based on various allegations, including misuse of confidential funds and threats against prominent figures. The articles of impeachment cover a range of issues from betrayal of public trust to involvement in extrajudicial killings.