Escudero told: Impeachment is constitutional duty, not cheering contest
Senate President Francis Escudero. | PHOTO: Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — Acting on impeachment complaints is a constitutional duty and not a “cheering contest,” House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Thursday in response to Senate President Francis Escudero’s recent remarks on impeachment.
Escudero questioned the supposed “clamor” to expedite the Senate’s role in the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
READ: What ‘clamor’? Escudero asks amid calls to start trial ‘forthwith’
“Senate President Escudero misses the point entirely when he asks, ‘What clamor?’ This is not a cheering contest but a matter of constitutional duty,” Castro said in a statement.
“Impeachment is not a cheering contest. It is their constitutional duty, and it would be a disservice to the people whom we ought to serve,” she added.
Article continues after this advertisementCastro also stressed the urgency of convening the impeachment court since Duterte has taken legal steps to nullify the impeachment complaint against her.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: VP Sara Duterte files petition at SC to stop impeachment moves against her
“The Senate should all the more fulfill this duty. Further delays might benefit the impeached Vice President, who is exploring various legal remedies to halt the trial,” she said.
Castro underscored that the Senate’s constitutional responsibility should not be influenced by public opinion or political timing.
“The Constitution sets forth clear procedures for impeachment trials. This is not a matter of whether there is sufficient clamor; it is about fulfilling our duties as public servants in accordance with the law,” Castro said.
On Wednesday, Escudero reiterated that the impeachment trial of Duterte would begin after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) in July.
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions after Sona. Sona, I think, is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” he said.
READ: Escudero: Senate preparing for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial
Escudero added that the Senate is “slowly but surely building up” its preparations for the trial.
He likewise noted that the chamber has started reviewing materials from previous impeachment proceedings to determine whether they could still be reused or replaced.
“Just like I said, because the impeachment complaint has already been filed, it is now certain that there will be an impeachment trial, so the Senate must prepare. We are not wasting our time despite it being recess,” Escudero said.
