Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo courtesy of OVP)

The back-and-forth between the House of Representatives and Senate continues, as two members of prosecution team against Vice President Sara Duterte argue that the Senate can begin her impeachment trial without going through a special session of Congress.

San Juan lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, a lawyer, said the Senate, by constitutional mandate, is already an impeachment court even during recess and that there is no need for the President to call for a special session, like what Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said.

“As to that, we don’t need a special session because the Constitution is clear that trial shall forthwith proceed. For us, the Senate is already the impeachment court even if it is on recess,” Zamora, a member of the 11-man House prosecution panel, said.

She also defended President Marcos' decision not to intervene, as she cited the separation of powers between the branches of government.

“The executive is a separate branch of government; thus it is right for the President not to call for a special session,” Zamora added.

Meanwhile, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, also a lawyer, says Malacañang’s stance on the special session aligns with its earlier statements regarding the impeachment process.

“This seems to be consistent with the Palace’s first pronouncements on the possibility of calling for a special session,” Gutierrez said.

He reiterated that the responsibility of convening as an impeachment court lies solely with the Senate, in accordance with the 1987 Charter.

“But in any case, if we look at the Constitution, this is a responsibility that primarily falls on the Senate. We respectfully and eagerly anticipate the Senate’s action on this matter,” Gutierrez added.

The House prosecution panel says it remains ready to present its case against the Vice President once the Senate convenes to begin the trial.

Last Feb. 5, the House directly transmitted to the Senate a duly endorsed and verified impeachmemt complaint against Vice President Duterte. The document was signed by 215 House members.

The Senate adjourned sessions without tackling the complaint. This has led to the differing opinions between the two chambers of Congress as to when the Senate impeachment trial can or should commence.

The six major allegations contained in the seven articles of impeachment within the 33-page complaint are conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos; malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds; bribery and corruption in Department of Education (DepEd); unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets; involvement in extrajudicial killings (Davao Death Squad); and destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder.