ILOILO CITY—Former Sen. Franklin Drilon said proceeding with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the elections will be disadvantageous to the Filipino people.
FORMER Sen. Franklin Drilon (center) speaks in a press conference in Iloilo City on Thursday, March 6. Also in photo are senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino. (Tara Yap)
“Talo ang taong bayan kapag ang impeachment trial mangyayari before the election (Filipinos lose if the impeachment trial is held before the electionns),” Drilon said on Thursday, March 6, in a press conference here for senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
“The decision of the impeachment does not necessarily reflect the evidence presented, but the political pressures and political considerations,” Drilon said. “When you do the trial before the election, all (senator-judges) will be subjected to pressure from all sides,” Drilon added.
Drilon said that while President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has the authority to convene a special Senate session for the impeachment trial, he surmised that political forces are at play in the midterm elections.
Drilon noted that the Senate cannot gather by themselves and call for a session to convene the impeachment court when it is on recess.
“If the legislative calendar says they are on recess, they cannot just group together and say: 'We are on session.' Hindi puwede yan (It cannot be),” Drilon said. "Otherwise, magka-gulo tayo (We will be in trouble)," added Drilon.