Senate President Chiz Escudero. Photo: Senate/Facebook 

MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will likely commence after President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21 according to Senate President Chiz Escudero. 

“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions, after SONA. I think it is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” Escudero said Monday. 

This is Escudero’s answer to critics who take a swipe at the Senate’s supposed slow action to the commencement of the impeachment proceedings. According to the Senate chief, certain procedures pre-trial must first be concluded before actual trial starts. 

Requisites for pre-trial according to Escudero include the approval of impeachment rules followed by the mailing of summons to the accused making it impossible to start the ball rolling right away considering the receipt of the articles of impeachment on the last day of session last February 5. 

“Sampung araw para sumagot kung hindi siya hihingi ng extension. Kapag humingi ng extension, malamang pagbibigyan naman ‘yun ng isa. Ngayon pagkatapos ‘nun sampung araw din para mag-sumite ng reply. Baka humingi din ng extension,” he said. 

“Pagkatapos ‘nun baka humiling naman ‘yung nasasakdal ng pagkakataon na mag-submit ng rejoinder, hindi ko alam pero karapatan niya ‘yun. Karapatan din ng prosekusiyon mag-submit ng surrejoinder. Karapatan din ng magkabilang panig kung tingin nila may nais pa silang sabihin o isumite na pleading, mag-sumite ng tinatawag nating ad cautelam pleading,” he said.

No special treatment for Duterte impeachment 

Despite calls to hold trial during Congress recess, Escudero stood firm that there will be no special treatment for Duterte’s impeachment. 

“I have no intention of requesting the President for a special session. Hindi ito isa sa mga bagay o dahilan para magpatawag ng special session and senado,” he said. 

“Dagdag pa dito, sino ba ang may gusto na mag special session kami at mag trial kami bago mag eleksyon? Sino ba humihiling nun?” he said. 

Escudero had repeatedly explained that the Constitution says trial by the Senate, which has the sole power to try and decide all impeachment cases, “shall proceed forthwith.” 

Citing past impeachment cases of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, where trial commenced over a month after submission of complaints, and that of late former Chief Justice Renato Corona, where trial also proceeded after Christmas and New Year break, Escudero said there is no reason for him to twist the procedures in Duterte’s case. 

“Bakit ko iibahin ang pagtrato dito sa impeachment complaint na ito? Hindi ito espesyal. Hindi ito kakaiba. Ang tingin dapat namin dito ordinaryong impeachment complaint lamang laban sa isang impeachable officer. Pare-pareho lamang silang impeachable officers sa pananaw namin 

“Anong gusto nilang gawin namin, finished or not not finished pass your paper? Ano to exam ng Grade 3?” He said. 

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives last February 5 with 215 members signed to endorse the complaints to the Senate for trial.