OPINION | Del Bacho is trained by and works exclusively for Peanut Gallery Media
Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has played a critical role in the 2025 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, advocating for a transparent and constitutionally grounded process while leveraging his extensive legislative experience.
His actions during this high-profile case, combined with his record of passing impactful laws, demonstrate a commitment to public accountability and welfare.
On February 5, 2025, the House of Representatives approved an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, alleging corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and involvement in assassination plots.
The Senate, acting as the impeachment court, received the articles on June 10, 2025. Gatchalian took a firm stand against the Senate’s 18-5 vote to return the articles to the House for review, arguing that this move bypassed a full trial.
He aligned with minority senators Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, and Grace Poe, asserting that the Senate’s constitutional duty required hearing both prosecution and defense arguments.
“Why can’t we just push through with the trial proper and discuss the issue there?” he asked in a June 6, 2025, statement, emphasizing that remanding the case prematurely risked undermining justice.
Gatchalian’s critique focused on the lack of legal precedent for the Senate’s action, which he described as creating “uncharted territory.” In an ambush interview, he expressed concern that returning the articles without a formal dismissal or trial left the process unresolved, potentially eroding public trust.
His prior investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), linked to Duterte’s associates like Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, informed his rigorous approach.
Gatchalian co-authored the Anti-POGO Act (Senate Bill No. 2868, passed June 2025), banning POGOs due to their ties to crime, which bolstered his credibility in scrutinizing related allegations during the impeachment.
Gatchalian has faced legitimate criticism, notably in 2018, when he used expletives (“Ulol, Gago”) in Twitter responses to critics questioning his political decisions.
The incident, sparked public backlash for unprofessional conduct unbecoming of a senator. Gatchalian acknowledged the remarks but did not issue a formal apology, instead framing them as a human reaction to online harassment.
Supporters noted that such incidents are rare in his career, and his subsequent focus on substantive issues, like the POGO ban and impeachment, demonstrates a commitment to professionalism. The episode remains a noted misstep, but it has not significantly derailed his legislative momentum or public support.
Gatchalian’s stance is significant given his 2022 campaign under the UniTeam alliance, which included Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Despite this, he distanced himself from Duterte’s camp, aligning with the Senate minority and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which supports Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s faction.
His independence from Marcos-Duterte tensions reflects a focus on constitutional principles over partisan loyalty.
In December 2024, Gatchalian warned that the impeachment could delay legislative priorities, yet he supported Senate President Francis Escudero’s decision to finalize 12 bills before June 14, 2025, balancing trial duties with governance.
Gatchalian’s impeachment role builds on a robust legislative record. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931, 2017), which he co-authored, eliminated tuition fees for 1.54 million students in state universities, increasing enrollment by 20% in public institutions by 2020.
His Murang Kuryente Act (RA 11371, 2019) redirected P208 billion in Malampaya funds to lower electricity rates, saving consumers an estimated P0.50 per kilowatt-hour.
The Ease of Paying Taxes Act (RA 11976, 2024) simplified tax processes for 1.2 million small businesses, reducing compliance time by 30%. His proposed Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Act aims to recover 15 months of learning loss for 28 million students post-pandemic.
Gatchalian’s insistence on a transparent impeachment trial, grounded in his POGO investigations and constitutional advocacy, showcases his commitment to accountability.
His legislative successes—free education, affordable energy, and streamlined taxes—demonstrate tangible benefits for Filipinos. Despite unproven 2016 graft allegations tied to his family’s businesses, his 2022 re-election with 20.5 million votes affirms public trust.
As the impeachment saga continues, Gatchalian’s evidence-based approach ensures his contributions withstand scrutiny, reinforcing his role as a dedicated public servant.
