Photo: Sen. Chiz FB

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero on Thursday clarified that there are no ongoing preparations for the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. As such, groundwork will only start once a case has been formally endorsed to the upper house. 

This is despite two impeachment complaints against Duterte have already been filed at the House of Representatives. 

‘Pag naihain na sa’min, dahil ‘pag naihain na sa’min may proseso pa rin naman kailangan pagdaan mga dalawa hanggang tatlong linggo yung prosesong ‘yun so may sapat na panahon,” he said. 

He likewise will not instruct his fellow senators to prepare for the trial. 

“Wala, wala akong balak gawin ‘yun bilang paghahanda dahil baka sabihin presumptuous kami, pinangungunahan namin, o may alam kaming hindi ninyo alam,” he said. 

“Parang judge lang naman ‘yan hindi naman niya pwedeng i-assume na may kasong isasampa sa kanyang korte. Gagalaw at aaksyon lamang siya ‘pag meron na,” he said. 

Escudero said he also doubts if both houses of Congress, given their pending workload and the nearing holiday break, still have time to push an impeachment proceeding. 

“Hindi ko kayang sabihin kung may oras pero kung ano mang trabaho ang ibabato sa senado susubukan namin gampanan dahil tungkulin namin yun na dinggin ano mang kasong ihahain sa amin,” he said. 

The Senate chief however clarified that impeachment proceedings can still continue even if sessions are adjourned. 

“Oo, dahil hindi session ito,” he said. 

Escudero said a session for an impeachment proceeding is unlike a regular Senate session where the lower house also convenes. In this case, the session will continue, he said, if the impeachment court decides so. 

The Senate President also reiterated his call to his fellow senators to refrain from making public  comments or speaking their stand on the possible impeachment of the Vice President so that the Senate and its members maintain the institution’s impartiality.