Sen. Risa Hontiveros Chides Senate Spox over Recent Remarks
RISA HONTIVEROS – The senator judge asserted that Senate spokesman Atty. Reginald Tongol can only speak for Senate President Chiz Escudero and not all of them senator judges.
Currently, countless people are wondering if the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will push through. The Senate impeachment court previously moved to return the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President to the House of Representatives.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified that the return of Duterte’s impeachment to the House does not equate to the dismissal or termination of the case. With the opening of the 20th Congress, a new set of senators is expected to join the existing lawmakers as senator judges of the impeachment court.
However, based on a report on PhilStar, Senate spokesman Atty. Reginald Tongol previously said that the new senators allegedly cannot yet take their oaths before Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero before the court convenes on the 29th of July. He stressed that the House of Representatives prosecution team has yet to comply with the requirement.
The Senate impeachment court ruled to remand the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte for two (2) purposes — to seek for clarification over the issue of constitutionality of the Vice President’s impeachment and to require a reconfirmation from the 20th Congress that it is willing to tackle the case.
Atty. Reginald Tongol also stressed at the press briefing that the senators should first elect a Senate president before the senator judges can take their oath. The statement of the Senate spokesman earned a reaction from Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros asserted that Atty. Reginald Tongol cannot speak for her and the other 22 senator judges of the Senate impeachment court. According to the minority Senator, the Senate spokesman can only reflect the stand of Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero as a presiding officer.
“Atty. Tongol is entitled to speak in his own capacity, but, with all due respect, he does not reflect the voice of the Senate,” the lady Senator said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros stressed that the “strength of the Senate is in its collective judgment”. Based on the report, the Senator also criticized Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero over the claim that the court proceedings cannot begin until the first session of the 20th Congress.
“Out of respect for the institution, I hope we can be more mindful of process and allow us senator-judges to decide only when we are properly convened,” she expressed.
Previously, incoming senators have also expressed their stand on the issue of the impeachment trial. Incoming Sen. Erwin Tulfo spoke on the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.