Escudero won’t convene court despite signature drive to begin Duterte’s trial
SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Wednesday said he will stick to initial plans to start the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio in open session, despite a faith-based group’s campaign to gather signa-tures, pressing the Senate to begin proceedings.
“No number of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it by convening the impeachment court during recess and without complying with the requisite conditions precede,” Mr. Escudero said in a message sent to reporters.
This was in response to the People’s Impeachment Movement’s campaign to gather one million signatures, calling the Senate to convene as an impeachment court immediately.
“The law is not bendable and should not bow to anyone’s dictate simply because of their own desire, bias and timetable of wanting to rush the impeachment proceedings vs. VP Sara,” Mr. Escudero added.
The Senate President had earlier stated that the Senate can only convene as an impeachment court once it is in session. He also refused to call for a special session as it does not meet the requirements under the 1987 Constitu-tion.
According to a proposed impeachment calendar, issued to legislators last week, the Senate would present the articles of impeachment and approve the revised Rules on the Procedure on Impeachment Trials once it reconvenes on June 2.
The proposed start of the trial is scheduled for July 30 once newly elected Senators take oath as impeachment judges on July 29.
Mr. Escudero said earlier that the impeachment trial would likely be concluded before the October recess.
The House of Representatives impeached Ms. Duterte on Feb. 5 through an impeachment complaint filed and signed by 215 congressmen, which is more than the one-third legal requirement mandated under the Constitution.
On the same day, the House transmitted the impeachment complaint to the Senate, just as both chambers went on a four-month break for the 2025 midterm elections. Congress will reconvene for a two-week session on June 2.
The ouster charges against the Vice-President included seven articles of impeachment, such as the misuse of secret funds, amassing unexplained wealth, committing acts of destabilization, and allegedly plotting the assassination of the President, the First lady, and the Speaker of the House. — Adrian H. Halil
