Chiz: Impeachment trial possible with court order during Senate break
Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero. | PHOTO: Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Only a court order would compel the Senate to convene into an impeachment court while session is on break, according to Senate President Chiz Escudero.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference on Wednesday, Escudero repeatedly emphasized that no trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will be conducted prior to the resumption of Congress’ session.
But with the ongoing talks about the impeachment, what would compel the Senate to proceed with the trial now?
“An order of the court. But then again if the court orders that, then the Senate would have to meet and decide. But if you ask me, we should accord due respect to the decisions of the court,” Escudero told reporters when he was asked if there’s nothing that could compel the chamber to immediately act on the case.
Despite this pronouncement, the Senate chief, in the same presser, repeatedly clarified that within the bounds of law it is illegal for the Senate to convene into an impeachment court while there are no ongoing sessions.
Article continues after this advertisement“I don’t want to rush it because the House of Representatives has been delayed for almost two months, and now we are being rushed? If I listen to those who want VP Sara impeached and act on it, the other side will complain that we’re really rushing it,” said Escudero in Filipino.
The Senate’s top leader earlier disclosed that the impeachment trial against Duterte will commence after President Bongbong Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address in July.
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions — after Sona. Sona, I think it is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” he said then.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself previously said that he would willingly call a special session of the Senate to tackle the impeachment of Duterte if the upper chamber asks for it.
But Escudero already made clear that he has no intentions of requesting for a special session, maintaining that “it is not one of the reasons” to call for such a thing.
