VP Duterte's impeachment trial after PBBM's SONA? That's no longer 'forthwith', Pimentel says
By Dhel Nazario
Starting Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial after President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) can no longer be considered "forthwith" on the part of the Senate.
This was according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel. He was reacting to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero's recent pronouncement that the impeachment trial will most likely commence after the SONA.
"Hindi na po 'forthwith' ang kilos na yan ng Senate (The Senate's actions can no longer be considered 'forthwith')," Pimentel said in a statement.
Citing the Constitution, Pimentel stated that "in case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed."
"Yan ang mandato ng Constitution (That's the mandate of the Constitution)," he added.
Meanwhile, Escudero said that he respects Pimentel's opinion.
"But he himself admitted that the 10 days each for the parties to file and exchange pleadings (after rules are approved) will eat up the period up to June 30 and beyond," he stated.
The Senate received the copy of the Articles of Impeachment from the House last February 5, Wednesday in the late afternoon.
But the Senate adjourned its session without tackling the impeachment documents.
Escudero insists the Senate will not rush the impeachment proceedings adding that the trial proper of the vice president may likely happen in the 20th Congress.