MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the chamber would only be able to issue summons to Vice President Sara Duterte on June 11, as it has no more time to initiate trial proceedings before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.
“Ang pwede lang naman magawa ng 19th Congress ay mag-issue ng summons. Dahil sang-ayon sa aming rules, may sampung araw ang nasasakdal, si VP Sara, para sumagot (The only thing the 19th Congress can do is issue summons. Because according to our rules, the respondent, VP Sara, has 10 days to reply),” he said in a radio interview.
Escudero denied accusations that he was delaying the process to favor Duterte allies, stressing that the Senate is focused on passing urgent legislation such as the Fiscal Regime for Mining bill, Government Rightsizing Act, and Right of Way Act before the session ends.
“Ngayon ‘yong sinasabi nilang delay… walang nadagdag, walang nabawas kanino man. Ang pagkakaiba lamang, nabigyan kami ng panahon na asikasuhin ‘yong pangunahin naming trabaho na magpasa ng makabuluhang batas bago matapos ang 19th Congress (On what they claim as delay, nothing was added, nothing was taken away from anyone. The only difference is that we were given time to focus on our primary responsibility — to pass meaningful laws before the 19th Congress ends),” he said.
If the Senate assumes jurisdiction on June 11, Escudero expects the Senate to formally convene as an impeachment court, allowing House prosecutors to read the Articles of Impeachment.
Substantive proceedings, however, will likely be suspended until the 20th Congress convenes on July 28, he said.
Escudero also reiterated that the final decision rests with the Senate as a collegial body.
“Plenary ng Senado ang magde-decide kung ano nga ba ang magiging posisyon ng 19th Congress… Ang plenaryo… ay supreme, kahit ang rules niya pwedeng amendyahan ng plenaryo (It is the Senate plenary that will decide on the position of the 19th Congress… The plenary is supreme… even its rules can be amended by the plenary itself),” he added.
Filipinos waiting for impeachment process
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Filipinos are waiting for the Senate to convene as impeachment court, noting that the process has been delayed for four months now.
“The Filipino people are waiting. And we believe four months is more than enough,” she said in a statement.
Hontiveros said convening the Senate as an Impeachment Court and commencing trial is expressly mandated by the Constitution, adding this is a crucial means of demanding accountability exclusively entrusted by the people to the Senate.
“In those four months, I’ve been called eager, aggressive, impatient, “atat”. But the simple truth is this: We are not rushing. In fact, we have been waiting. These delays are no longer procedural. They are obstructions dressed up as protocol,” she said. (with a report from Leonel Abasola /PNA)