Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 鈥淜oko鈥� Pimentel III on Tuesday said Majority Leader Francis Tolentino should now 鈥渟et the stage for the impeachment鈥� trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing the mandate of the Constitution.
Pimentel鈥檚 call came after Senate President Francis Escudero referred his letter asking the chamber to convene into an all-member caucus to discuss the impeachment trial to the panel on rules that Tolentino is heading.
鈥淧reparatory work for the impeachment can proceed immediately as these actions are separate and distinct from the legislative functions of Congress,鈥� Pimentel said.
鈥淲e have a constitutional duty that must take precedence over our reelection bid. While we may be busy with our campaigns, the best campaign is fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities. I trust that the upcoming election will not interfere with our mandate,鈥� he added.
Following his letter鈥檚 referral to the rules committee, Pimentel said the panel must 鈥渇orthwith鈥� or 鈥渋mmediately,鈥� 鈥渞ight away,鈥� and 鈥渨ithout delay鈥� review the impeachment guidelines.
He also said the committee can either reaffirm the existing rules in their entirety or propose targeted amendments that better align with the constitutional intent.
READ: Escudero: Senate needs special session to start VP Duterte trial
READ: Marcos: Will call special session if asked by Senate
Earlier, Pimentel explained that the Senate can decide to convene as an impeachment court and 鈥渃ome up with its court calendar separate from its legislative calendar.鈥�
He said it is theoretically possible for the chamber to 鈥渂egin the preliminary preparations in March and defer the presentation of witnesses until after the upcoming election.鈥�
He also argued that such a delay would still contradict the framers鈥� original intent and the spirit of the Constitution, which states that 鈥渢rial by the Senate shall forthwith start.鈥�
Meanwhile, Escudero clarified that the proper impeachment trial against Duterte would commence after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.鈥檚 fourth State of the Nation Address in July.