BukSU law students witness VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial, House budget deliberations

Bukidnon State University College of Law (COL) students observed the impeachment trial at the Senate and visited the House of Representatives to observe budget deliberations as part of a legislative immersion on September 22-23, 2026.

The Senate is acting as the impeachment court in the case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. The students witnessed proceedings where senator-judges considered issues related to the conviction threshold.

“Witnessing this historic determination firsthand fundamentally transformed my understanding of constitutional law. It taught me that constitutional principles are far more than static doctrines or legal stepping stones designed to pass an academic level, but they constitute the living and operational core of our legal system,” said first-year law student Prince Kessis J. Ceniza.

Meanwhile, second-year student Chelsea Psalm M. Neri observed the House budget deliberations and said the proceedings provided a practical view of congressional scrutiny.

“The House of Representatives taught me that a law is argued into existence, line by line and peso by peso. I shall carry that with me, not only into my studies, but also into my practice in the future,” Neri said.

Fourth-year student Dickson A. Magan said firsthand observation at the House provided an empirical understanding of the legislative budget function.

“Observing the proceedings reveals the exhaustive nature of congressional oversight. The actual legislative process frequently extends well beyond standard parliamentary hours, as every line item is subjected to rigid interpellation,” Magan said.

Connecting legal instruction with actual proceedings

COL Dean Atty. Ophelia Pilar E. Rubio-Zamora said the immersion was intended to help students see how legal doctrines operate in actual legislative proceedings.

“The College of Law hopes students realize that the legal doctrines in their textbooks are alive and active. By witnessing legislative deliberations firsthand, students gain a deeper respect for democracy in action, inspiring them to become future lawyers who uphold the Constitution with integrity,” Rubio-Zamora said.

“The concepts students read about in books come alive once they see these legal and political processes working right before their eyes. It becomes tangible, and more easily remembered for the Bar,” said faculty member Atty. Micah Stefan B. Dagaerag.

Atty. Rosh R.K. B. Casulla said the trial brought constitutional concepts to life, particularly checks and balances and the consequences of decisions involving constitutional responsibilities and political considerations.

“In class, we learn about impeachment and legislative power. In the Senate and House, we saw it live: the tension, the preparation, the discipline,” said faculty member Atty. Shylla Fe C. Daypuyat-Torres.

The delegation also engaged in a dialogue with House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III during its visit to the House. They also met with Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores, who, according to the COL, supported the students’ visit. (BukSU – Information Unit)