Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on Impeachment Case vs. VP Sara Duterte
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The reelected Senate President expressed his stand on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte following the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Previously, it was reported that some senators have agreed to have the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on August 4. However, ahead of the date cited as the possible start of the trial, the Supreme Court released its ruling on a petition filed by the Vice President and Atty. Israelito Torreon among others.
In response to the petition filed by the Vice President, Atty. Israelito Torreon, and many others seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment case against her, the Supreme Court declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte ” unconstitutional”.
According to the Court, the impeachment complaint against the Vice President did not follow the one year ban rule in the Constitution. Four (4) impeachment complaints were filed against her in 2024 and the last case was the one transmitted to the Senate.
The Supreme Court stressed that its decision does not absolve the charges filed against Duterte. The ruling of the high court elicited mixed reactions from the people as well as the senators.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero remained in his position as the chief of the chamber after getting 19 votes. The Senate President who previously clarified that the return of Duterte’s impeachment to the House of Representatives does not equate to the dismissal of the case aired his side following the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Based on a report on GMA News, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed his belief as a lawyer that the decision of the Supreme Court must prevail. According to him, a “constitutional crisis” may arise if the rule of law will not be followed and it won’t be good on the image of the country.
“Nag-desisyon ang Korte Suprema, sangayon ka man do’n o hindi, dapat ito’y sundin. Kung hindi, magkakaroon tayo ng constitutional crisis at baka tignan tayo ng mga karatig bansa natin at ibang tao na isang banana republic kung saan sinusunod lang natin ang gusto natin,” he said.
The decision of the Supreme Court came with a 13-0 voting among the justices. Despite his personal stand admitting that he sees no reason for the Senate not to follow the ruling of the high court, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said they will decide on the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte as a collective body.
“Ito ay pagpapasyahan namin pero wala akong nakikitang rason at dahilan personally para hindi namin sundan at sundin ito,” the Senate Chief said.
Based on the report, Escudero believes that it will be safer for them to decide on the matter without convening as an impeachment court. According to him, the matter is not part of their agenda this afternoon but there is a huge chance that they will talk about it as it would be the “elephant in the room” if they won’t.
Previously, the camp of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke on the ruling of the Supreme Court over the impeachment case against her.
napaka cheezy naman…. talagang nakahanap ng excuse itong si chiz pero ang totoo bahag ang buntot nya kay duterte! sara duterte cannot escape her lies, evil and greed kahit pa may mga katulad nyang mga demonyo sa senado….. mark that!