Senate President Francis 鈥淐hiz鈥� Escudero and Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTOS: Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Senate leadership is leaving it to the Solicitor General to address the Supreme Court鈥檚 (SC) directive to comment on the petition to immediately act on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Senate President Francis Escudero said no preparations on the side of the Senate are being conducted in relation to the order of the SC.
鈥淲e referred that matter to the Solicitor General鈥檚 Office. As a lawyer that stands on behalf of the government, it is the SolGen that will answer, it is the SolGen who will appear, it is the SolGen that will handle the case for the Senate,鈥� Escudero told reporters in Filipino.
鈥淭he Senate itself is not doing anything to prepare nor answer the order,鈥� he added.
The SC on Tuesday ordered the Senate to comment on the petition asking the high court to compel the legislative body to immediately act on the impeachment case against Duterte.
The SC gave the Senate 10 days from receipt of notice to submit their comment.
READ: SC to Senate: Comment on petition to act on VP impeachment
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with 215 lawmakers endorsing the fourth impeachment complaint filed against her.
On the same day, the petition was transmitted to the Senate, but the upper chamber adjourned its session without tackling the document.
READ: VP Sara Duterte impeachment complaint reaches Senate