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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Impeachment trial cannot start even in special session--Chiz

Impeachment trial cannot start even in special session--Chiz

Published Feb 8, 2025 06:26 am

At A Glance

  • Even if the two houses of Congress agree to convene for a special session, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said on Saturday, Feb. 8 that the impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte still cannot proceed.

Even if the two houses of Congress agree to convene for a special session, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said on Saturday, Feb. 8 that the impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte still cannot proceed.

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The Senate on Wednesday, February 5 adjourned its plenary session without taking up the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. (Senate PRIB photo)

In an interview over DWIZ radio, Escudero said if ever it would be inserted into their agenda during the special session, the impeachment complaint would just be tackled on the floor.

President Marcos said he would call for a special session of the Senate to tackle Duterte's impeachment if the chamber makes such a request.

"Marami pa nga kasing kailangan gawin tulad ng rules and regulations ng impeachment, pagrerequire sa mga partidong sumagot, magsasagutan pa iyan, dadaan sa pre-trial (There are still many things that need to be done, such as setting the rules and regulations for impeachment, requiring parties to respond, engaging in exchanges, and going through a pre-trial), Escudero explained.

There's nothing under the law, according to the Bicol lawmaker, which states that this process should be rushed and should be taken up immediately.

He even stressed that the word "immediately" was not even in the Constitution as other lawyers have pointed out on social media.

He also mentioned that past impeachment complaints took a month or two before the trial even began.

"Nagreklamo ba sila? May narinig ba tayong pagpuna? E wala naman. So bahagi na yan sa tradisyon at practice ng Senado kaugany ng impeachment trial na bahagi rin ng aming rules sa ngayon (Did they complain? Did we hear any criticism? There wasn't any. So this is just a part of the tradition and practice of the Senate concerning the impeachment trial, which is also part of our current rules)," Escudero said.

"Balewala sakin at 'di ko papakinggan o susundin sinumang pro-impeachment o pro-Sara, sinumang anti-impeachment o anti-Sara. Wala kong pakialam sa mga iyon (I don't care and won't listen to or follow anyone who is pro-impeachment or pro-Sara, or anyone who is anti-impeachment or anti-Sara. I don't care about any of that)," he added.

Escudero said that he will only abide by what's mandated under the Constitution, the rules of the Senate as well as the impeachment court.

He says he will also ensure that the process is fair, credible, and just, without favoring or opposing either side.

The Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 5 adjourned its plenary session without taking up the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte.

Related Tags

Impeachment complaint SPECIAL SESSION Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero Vice President Sara Duterte President Marcos
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