Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Says Duterte Impeachment Trial To Start in 20th Congress
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President insisted that the chamber is not at fault over the delay in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
There are currently a lot of calls pressuring the Senate to immediately start the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. However, instead, the Senate President postponed the impeachment process.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero moved the schedule for the reading of the articles of impeachment by the House of Representatives’ prosecution team from June 2 to June 11. According to him, they will prioritize their legislative agenda before the 19th Congress adjourns.
The said decision did not sit well with many Filipinos including some senators. Sen. Risa Hontiveros assured that the Senate Minority will take a move over Duterte’s impeachment trial. She and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel believe that the impeachment trial should have been started right away.
According to Sen. Hontiveros, she and Sen. Pimentel who helped draft the impeachment rules will move so Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero can take his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in Duterte’s trial. He took his oath on Monday eve.
However, based on a report on GMA News, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero maintained that there is not enough time for the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte in the 19th Congress. According to the Senate Chief, the trial will start in the 20th Congress.
Escudero also stressed that the Senate is not at fault over the delay in the impeachment trial of Duterte. He cited that the House was allegedly late in filing the impeachment case against the Vice President.
“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,” the Senate President said.
Based on the report, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said Duterte’s impeachment trial will commence in the 20th Congress. Meanwhile, according to him, the convening of the impeachment court will push through on Wednesday, June 11.
“‘Yun ang pinagbotohan namin kahapon, ‘yun ang pinag-usapan namin at dapat mangyari ‘yan bago kami mag-adjourn,” he said.
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos also expressed that the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will cross the 20th Congress. According to him, he is watching how Escudero can lead the Senate in a peaceful manner over the issue.
Not your mistake??? Who are you Pontius Pilate???