SENATE President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero doused cold water in the hopes of those who impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for a quick impeachment trial, basically saying ‘first things first’ during a press briefing after the Senate received the impeachment complaint on February 6.
Escudero clarified that the Senate could not convene as an Impeachment Court during recess to hear the complaints against the Vice President.
During the ‘Kapihan sa Senado’ media briefing, Escudero said the Senate should not also be accused of “sitting” on the complaint which was immediately transmitted to the Senate on the last session day of Congress after garnering 205 affirmatives votes a day earlier, February 5.
He recalled that the Senate only convened as an impeachment court in January 2001, two months after the House of Representatives impeached then President Joseph Estrada in November, 2000. The Senate leader stressed that the Upper Chamber would still have to review the rules and procedures to be followed by the impeachment court; the Senate secretariat has to study the articles of impeachment, such as its veracity and the authenticity of the signatures of the complainants; convene the impeachment court and take the oath of senator-judges only while Congress is in session, which would be on June 2, after the May 12 midterm polls.
Escudero noted that it was only after these processes have been completed can the Senate, acting as the Impeachment Court, conduct trial even when Congress is in recess.
“No. Legally, it (the impeachment trial) cannot be done.
Again, as I’ve said, because the impeachment court was not convened,” said Escudero when asked if it is possible for the impeachment trial to be conducted during the break (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau).