Senate President Confirms Impeachment Trial Will Proceed
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero assured the public that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will proceed according to the law. He confirmed that the new proposed schedule for the Senate impeachment court to convene is August 4, replacing his earlier suggested date of July 30.
This adjustment aims to provide the impeachment court sufficient time to send notices to all parties involved before starting the trial. Escudero emphasized, in Filipino, that the “impeachment trial will proceed and take place in accordance with the law.” He also noted that the Senate will finalize this schedule once the 20th Congress resumes on July 28.
Senate President Responds to Delay Criticism
Some critics have expressed concern that the impeachment proceedings are being delayed again. However, Escudero firmly stated that rushing the trial is not their responsibility. “It’s not our job to rush this. Where does it say that this has to be rushed? Just because they’re in a hurry doesn’t mean we have to be. We will do this in accordance with the proper process,” he stressed.
Continuity from the 19th to 20th Congress
The impeachment court first convened on June 10 during the 19th Congress, which adjourned sine die on June 30. Some lawmakers, including Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, believe the trial cannot extend beyond the 19th Congress since it is considered unfinished business of the previous Congress.
Escudero, however, stated his view that the impeachment case has already crossed into the 20th Congress, though he recognized that most of his colleagues might disagree. One critical early order from the impeachment court in June was for the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress to confirm its willingness to proceed with the case against Duterte. This confirmation is still pending.
New Congress Must Decide on Proceedings
The Senate President acknowledged that the current Congress must review and decide on actions taken by the 19th Congress. “The 20th Congress would have to make the decisions all over again—not just the Senate, but also the House. That’s why the Senate included in its order to the House a request to confirm that they still truly want to pursue this under the 20th Congress,” Escudero explained.
He also mentioned that even the convening of the impeachment court in the 20th Congress needs fresh discussion. “The Senate and the impeachment court are one and the same so we have to talk about it without necessarily convening the impeachment court, I think,” he added.
For more news and updates on the impeachment trial, visit Filipinokami.com.
