The Senate will not ask President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to call a special session of Congress just to open the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
Escudero explained on Monday that only the Supreme Court (SC) has the power to force the Senate—which is currently on break—to start the impeachment process.
🔍 Why Won’t the Senate Call for a Special Session?
Under the Philippine Constitution, a special session can only be requested for urgent laws.
Escudero made it clear that he doesn’t want to lie or pretend that there is an urgent law just to justify calling a special session for the impeachment.
🗣️ “What do you want? Should I lie, pretend, and act as if there’s an urgent law, when we all know the real reason is just public pressure? That’s not right.”
He added that if Malacañang (Office of the President) does call for a special session, the Senate and Congress will have no choice but to follow.
However, he questioned why this impeachment case should be treated differently from past cases.
🗣️ “What makes this case so special? Are people rushing now more than before? Shouldn’t we treat all impeachable officials the same way?”
Escudero reminded everyone that justice should be fair and unbiased, just like the blindfolded woman that symbolizes the justice system.
🗣️ “Justice doesn’t make exceptions. There’s no ‘special’ case or ‘regular’ case—it should be the same for everyone.”
📌 Will There Be Enough Senators to Hold a Special Session?
Even if a special session was called, Escudero said there might not be enough senators present to form a quorum (the minimum number of senators needed to proceed).
🔹 Why? Some senators are busy with the 2025 election campaigns and may not be available.
📜 Law Cannot Be Changed by Public Opinion
Escudero stressed that he will follow the law, not public opinion or pressure from loud voices.
🗣️ “No amount of noise from any group can change the law. We won’t change our decisions just because of how loud people shout.”
He even joked that he’s not a rapper like Andrew E., who asks, “Who’s the loudest?” in his songs.
🗣️ “I’m not Andrew E. My job is not to listen to who’s the loudest.”
⚖️ Supreme Court to Decide
Right now, the Supreme Court (SC) is reviewing a mandamus petition (a legal request) that asks the court to order the Senate to start the impeachment trial.
Escudero said he will wait for the Supreme Court’s decision.
🗣️ “The law is the law. Unless the Supreme Court tells us otherwise, we will follow what’s written.”
🤝 Senate Minority Leader Pimentel Offers to Help
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel has offered to help draft the rules for the impeachment trial.
🔹 Escudero welcomed the offer, saying that his office and the Senate’s legal team will work with Pimentel.
🗣️ “I don’t care who leads this. What matters is that we do it right. Any help is welcome.”
📌 What Happened So Far?
📍 February 5, 2025: The House of Representatives voted to impeach VP Sara Duterte, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint.
📍 Same Day: The Articles of Impeachment were sent to the Senate, but the Senate adjourned without acting on the case.
📍 Now: VP Duterte has challenged the impeachment complaint in the Supreme Court.
📍 Other groups (including Mindanao lawyers) are also asking the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment, claiming the complaint is invalid.
🔎 What Happens Next?
🚨 The Supreme Court will decide whether the Senate must proceed with the impeachment trial.
🚨 The Senate will wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling before taking any action.
🚨 The impeachment trial rules still need to be written and finalized.
🔔 Final Thought: The impeachment process is a serious legal matter, not just a response to public pressure. The Senate and Supreme Court must follow the law, no matter who is involved.
