Will the upper chamber proceed with the impeachment soon or not?

For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel this may very well be settled once Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero calls for a caucus to direct all the senators' attention to Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment complaint.

During the "Kapihan sa Senado" forum, he said he would once again write or speak to Escudero to call for a caucus. Pimentel said that he cannot say for now why his colleagues do not share the sentiments with him yet that the upper chamber should immediately act on Duterte's impeachment complaint.

"Baka yung atensyon nila nasa iba (Maybe their attention is elsewhere), that's why we're now focusing on this matter," he said.

In a recent letter he sent to Escudero, Pimentel emphasized that it's the Senate's duty to act on the impeachment complaint immediately and without delay.

Pimentel stated that given the gravity of impeachment proceedings, it is imperative that the Senate uphold its duty with urgency, diligence, and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution.

"Isantabi yung kampanya (Put campaigning on hold)," he said, stressing that this is part of the job description as a senator.

He stated that if a majority of the senators are opposed to the idea of proceeding immediately with the trial, they should let the public know.

"Pakinggan nila ako. Ngayon kung talagang ayaw nila, aminim namin sa taumbayan na ayaw nila. (They should listen to me. Now, if they truly don't want to, we will admit to the people that they don't want to.) Because if this is really a political question, then therefore is legitimate political issue for the people," he added.

For Pimentel, the impeachment trial should start by March.

"Prepared naman na si SP. Pina-review niya na rules so madali naman yun. Kapag the court is now in session, mag-oath kami, we reaffirm the existing rules, para lang wala nang issue kung valid siya o hindi, kung may proposed amendments kilusan na namin (SP is already prepared. He had the rules reviewed, so that's easy enough. When the court is now in session, we'll take an oath, reaffirming the existing rules, just to avoid any issues about their validity. If there are proposed amendments, we'll address them)," he said.

"Then i-authorize na namin ang Senate President to send summons to the impeached official para umaandar na yung 10 days. Sayang din yun (We then authorized the Senate President to send a summons to the impeached official so that the 10-day period can start. We shouldn't waste any time)," he added.

Pimentel explained that when uses the word "trial" is somewhat generic but he's referring to the entire process. On the question if the impeachment court should convene by March, he answered in the affirmative.

Meanwhile, Pimentel also said that the Senate can call for a special session on its own to act on the impeachment complaint. Looking at both the Constitution and the Senate's existing rules, Pimentel said that they did not get the impression that they should be in session as a legislative body.

"Pwedeng magtawag ang Senado ng special session ng Senado. Hindi po ito yung special session na kailangan tawagin ng Presidente kasi pati House of Representatives aabalahin natin (The Senate can call for a special session just for the Senate. This is not the kind of special session that needs to be called by the President because it would involve the House of Representatives as well)," he said.

Escudero has since been firm that they will proceed with the trial by June, adding that it would be illegal to convene the Senate as an impeachment court while the Congress is not in session.