Senate President Confirms Impeachment Court Will Convene
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero affirmed on June 10 that the Senate impeachment court will convene as scheduled, regardless of attempts to dismiss or delay the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Senate President emphasized the importance of following through with the agreed timeline despite ongoing political maneuvers. “Kahit anong mangyari magco-convene sa pananaw ko ang impeachment court,” Escudero stated firmly, referencing the Senate’s prior consensus to begin proceedings on June 11.
Escudero highlighted that the vote to start the impeachment court was unanimous and should be respected before any Senate adjournment. “Yun ang botohan namin kahapon, yun ang pinagkasunduan namin at dapat mangyari yun bago mag-adjourn,” he added, underscoring the Senate’s commitment to transparency and due process.
Procedural Issues and Senate Rules on Impeachment Complaint
The Senate President responded to inquiries about a resolution filed by Senator Robin Padilla seeking to terminate the impeachment complaint. Escudero clarified that such a resolution does not halt the trial. Instead, the complaint must be referred to the appropriate Senate committee, following established rules. “All impeachment resolutions must be referred to the Committee on Justice,” he explained. “It will go through the process. But we only have two session days left, so ask the chairman of the Committee on Justice what they plan to do.”
Pressed on whether procedural shortcuts could be used to kill the complaint, such as referring it to the Committee on Rules, Escudero was clear: “That’s not a technicality I will allow. I’m speaking now as the presiding officer. I don’t see that as a valid way to stop the impeachment court from convening.”
He also dismissed rumors of a vote taking place during the session break, calling such gossip unworthy of comment. Escudero reiterated his commitment to full transparency by insisting that all deliberations happen openly on the Senate floor, not behind closed doors. “There was no caucus. I would not allow a caucus. Every decision must be debated and voted on in plenary,” he stressed.
Importance of Proper Debate and Voting
Escudero acknowledged that any senator could move to convict or acquit the Vice President without a trial, but he warned that such actions would be improper and violate procedural fairness. “Anyone can rise up and say wag na tayo magtrial, magconvict na tayo. So kailangan namin pagdebatehan at pagbotohan ‘yon,” he said. “Anybody can say i-acquit natin siya pero syempre mali yon. Hindi tama.”
He further explained that referring the complaint to the Committee on Rules is a ministerial act based on long-standing precedent. “It is established by precedent. That’s how it was done before. It’s ministerial,” Escudero said. “I even wanted to refer it straight to the impeachment court. But Senator Koko said it should go to the Committee on Rules, because that’s how it was done before.”
Impeachment Trial to Start in 20th Congress
On the timing of the actual impeachment trial, Escudero reaffirmed his earlier statement that it would begin during the 20th Congress. “I already said this back in February. The trial will commence in the 20th Congress because there’s no more time left now,” he said. He noted that the delay was due to the House filing the complaint in the final hours of the session, leaving only two weeks before adjournment.
Escudero’s remarks reflect a firm stance on upholding Senate rules and ensuring that the impeachment process proceeds with transparency and fairness, despite political pressures and attempts to derail it.
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