Senate President Chiz Escudero. File 

MANILA, Philippines – Despite calls to commence the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte immediately, Senate President Chiz Escudero said he does not feel pressured to convene and stays firm that trial will only begin once Congress resumes on June 2. 

Trial will definitely happen because the articles of impeachment have been endorsed to the Senate that is constitutionally mandated to act as an impeachment court, according to the senate chief. But while its members are now preparing, still, no trial will happen during senate break. 

“Anuman ang sinasabi ninuman, hangga’t walang session at hindi na-convene ng may session walang trial na pwede maganap habang kami ay naka-recess. Klaro at maliwanag sa rules namin ‘yun,” Escudero said in a press conference on Wednesday, February 18. 

Various pleadings have been made both compelling the Senate to convene court or block and void trial over supposed constitutional violations. 

Catalino Generillo Jr., a former special counsel of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, earlier filed a petition for mandamus asking the Supreme Court (SC) to order the Senate to constitute itself as an impeachment court. 

Additionally, Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colemenares as well as Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also made the same request to Escudero.

Meanwhile, 29 petitioners led by Mindanao-based lawyers on Tuesday, February 18, sought Supreme Court intervention to block the impending trial against the Vice President since it is based on what they claimed are “constitutionally deficient,” “procedurally defective,” and “jurisdictionally void” impeachment complaints. 

Regardless of the petitions, Escudero maintains that the senate will perform its mandate unless a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction is issued by the SC.

“Tulad ng sinabi ko sa inyo, unang araw pa lang ng pagkakasampa ng impeachment, sino mang pabor sa impeachment o tutol sa impeachment, hindi matimbang ang opinyon para sa’kin dahil patas parehas at pantay naming tattratuhin itong impeachment at kasong ito ng walang pinapaboran,” Escudero said. 

Escudero, yet again, tossed the question of delay back to the House of Representatives asking them of their reason to defer the complaints for over two months when the Constitution, and even House rules, give specific time to process impeachment complaints. 

Sol Gen to answer for Senate over Supreme Court mandamus 

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Senate to respond to petitions seeking for the immediate trial of the Vice President. 

Escudero said the country’s Solicitor General who functions as the lawyer of the Philippine government will be appearing and answering for the Senate. 

“Bilang abugado na tumatayo sa pamahalaan, Sol Gen and sasagot, Sol Gen ang appear, Sol Gen ang hahandle ng kaso para sa Senado,” Escudero said. 

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