Senate archives impeachment complaint vs Merci

The Senate on Monday formally archived the resolution from the House of Representatives calling for the impeachment of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, whose resignation from her post took effect last week. The Senate approved the archiving of House Resolution 105 after Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said that it was "impractical" for the chamber to still convene as an impeachment court since Gutierrez has already resigned. Sotto likewise backed the proposal of the House prosecution panel, in a letter dated May 4, to declare the impeachment trial "moot and academic." The move was approved by the Senate without contention. At the same time, Sotto proposed to return their original session schedule to 3 in the afternoon from 10 a.m., as what was originally scheduled by the senators before session adjourned last March. Gutierrez tendered her resignation on April 29, or 10 days before her impeachment trial at the Senate was set to begin. Her resignation took effect May 6. Senators, however, warned that her resignation will not keep her safe from any charges that may be filed against her in court. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News