Benedict Maravilla

Senate President Francis Escudero turned down calls from different academic institutions, such as the schools of law of the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, to immediately proceed to the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Photo Courtesy of Senate of the Philippines.

In a press conference on June 9, Escudero questioned the demand of the said universities when they did not have the same concern for the past impeachment complaints against former government officials, namely former President Joseph Estrada, former Chief Justice Corona, and former Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez.

“Nasaan sila noong hindi naman ‘yan ginawa ng Senado noon? Tatlong impeachment complaints lamang ang nakarating sa senado. Sa tatlong kasong ‘yon, nag-trial ang Senado matapos ang recess nilang nakaschedule. Walang pinagkaiba [sa ngayon].” he said.

“Ni-file ‘yong impeachment complaint ilang araw bago mag-recess ang Senado. Nag-recess ang Senado [at] nag-trial pagka-recess. Wala naman tayong narinig na reklamo mula sa iba't ibang grupo,” Escudero added.

The senator explained that the current timeline for the impeachment of Duterte is only just as the House has only presented the articles of impeachment on the last session day of the Congress on June 11.

“Ito ni-file sa huling araw, ilang oras bago [matapos ang session]. Kaya sinabi ko, mag co-convene ang Senado pag resume namin,” he said.

Escudero also underscored that he will not listen to whoever dictates to the Senate regarding the proceedings of the impeachment of Duterte, as he will only follow what is right under the Constitution.

“Sino mang pabor sa impeachment o kontra sa impeachment, sino mang pabor kay VP Sara o kontra sa kanya, hindi ko pakikinggan. Gagawain ko kung ano ang dapat, nararapat, at ayon sa Konstitusyon at batas,” he said.
 
“Hindi porket pabor sila sa impeachment at ayaw nila kay VP Sara at gusto nila matanggal si VP Sara, mamadaliin na namin at susundin namin sila,” he added.

The debates on the proceedings for the impeachment of Duterte caused a stir among the officials and the public, as the presentation of articles of impeachment was delayed for nine days after the initial date. 

The presentation was originally scheduled on June 2 but was moved to June 11 for the Senate to tackle other priority concerns.
Duterte is set to face the Senate for an impeachment trial due to complaints filed against her for betrayal of public trust, bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.