Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on Duterte’s Impeachment Trial Following Oath as Presiding Officer
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President maintained that the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will start in the 20th Congress.
The Filipino people are divided on the issue of the impeachment trial against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The second highest official in the Philippine government was impeached by the House of Representatives last February 5. She is faced with allegations over the Confidential Funds spending of the offices she handled.
The senators are also divided on the issue. Duterte allies Senators Bato dela Rosa and Robin Padilla want the impeachment case against Duterte junked. Sen. Robin Padilla even recently reiterated his loyalty to the Duterte family. The actor-turned-politician filed a resolution seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment case against the Vice President.
On the other side, opposition senators Risa Hontiveros and Koko Pimentel moved in the pursuit for the immediate start of Duterte’s impeachment trial. The former stressed that she cannot allow the Senate to be the first to not uphold what is in the Constitution.
On the eve of Monday, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in the trial against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The senators are also set to take their oath senator-judges today prior to the the impeachment court convening on Wednesday.
Amid the progress in the impeachment proceedings against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero maintained that the trial will be in the 20th Congress. Based on a report on GMA News, Escudero stressed that there is no more enough time.
“Sa 20th Congress tayo. Sa 20th Congress na ‘yan dahil wala nang sapat na panahon ngayon. Hindi namin kasalanan ‘yan. Pinili ng House i-file ‘yan sa mga huling araw, huling oras ng last day namin na alam nilang dalawang linggo na lang ang naiiwan,” he said.
Meanwhile, based on the report, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero assured that the impeachment court will convene on Wednesday. According to him, the trial will commence in the 20th Congress.
“Kahit anong mangyari, magko-convene, sa pananaw ko, ang impeachment court… magko-convene palagi ang impeachment court. ‘Yun ang pinagbotohan namin kahapon, ‘yun ang pinag-usapan namin at dapat mangyari ‘yan bago kami mag-adjourn,” the Senate President said.
On the other side, aside from Sen. Robin Padilla, reelected Sen. Bato dela Rosa also expressed his willingness to lead the efforts in calling for the dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The lawyers of Vice Pres. Duterte said the impeachment process must not be used as a “political weapon”.