Escudero to senators: Avoid commenting on Duterte impeachment

Escudero to senators: Avoid commenting on Sara Duterte鈥檚 impeachment

By: Charie Abarca - 4 weeks ago

Senate President Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� G. Escudero on Monday, November 4, 2024, files a bill seeking to postpone the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Senate Bill No. 2862 seeks to reset the BARMM elections, which is scheduled to be held and synchronized with the 2025 midterm elections, on May 11, 2026. Escudero, during a media interview, said the postponement of elections would allow Congress to amend provisions in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. In SBN 2862, Escudero said recent developments speak of institutional and statutory issues which might result in disenfranchisement. One is the status of the Special Geographic Area in the BARMM consisting of eight municipalities but without a province. 鈥淭his is a recommendation coming from the administration that is being pushed in the Senate, so the Senate will discuss it,鈥� Escudero told reporters. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

FILE PHOTO: Senate President Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� G. Escudero talks to reporters on Monday, November 4, 2024. 鈥� Escudero urged colleagues in the upper chamber to refrain from publicly commenting on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. In a statement on December 2, 2024, the Senate鈥檚 top leader likewise said the upper chamber is ready to fulfill its mandate with integrity and impartiality should the impeachment complaint prosper. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senate President Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� Escudero urged colleagues in the upper chamber to refrain from publicly commenting on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Senate鈥檚 top leader issued the call as he vouched that the upper chamber is ready to fulfill its mandate with integrity and impartiality should the impeachment complaint prosper.

Escudero noted that the endorsement of an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives marks the beginning of a process to ensure accountability among the government鈥檚 highest officials.

鈥淚 reiterate my call to my colleagues in the Senate to refrain from making any public comments or statements regarding the allegations in the complaint鈥檚 articles of impeachment,鈥� he said in a statement Monday.

READ: First impeachment complaint vs VP Sara filed at House

鈥淪hould the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or prejudgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public鈥檚 trust in the Senate as an institution,鈥� he emphasized.

He said it is also important that senators view the political exercise with impartiality and objectivity, urging them to stay steadfast in upholding the principles of justice and fairness in adherence to the rule of law.

鈥淭his is what justice requires. This is what our people demand,鈥� Escudero stressed.

READ: After impeachment rap filed vs VP Duterte, what鈥檚 next?

鈥淭he Senate stands ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate with integrity and impartiality while upholding the national interest,鈥� he added.

On Monday afternoon, civil society organizations filed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte before the House of Representatives鈥� Office of the Secretary General.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival Cenda帽a endorsed by the 50-page impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte.

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