Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero made it clear—there will be no impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte until Congress resumes on June 2.
What’s Going On?
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III wants the trial to start right away, even though the Senate is currently on a break for the May elections. He even sent Escudero a letter, reminding him that the Constitution says the Senate should act “immediately” on an impeachment case.
But Escudero isn’t rushing. He said he needs to consult with other senators first. He also disagrees with Pimentel’s idea that the trial can begin even when the Senate is not in session. “If we rush this, people might question if we’re doing things the right way,” Escudero said.
Legal Battle Sparks Debate
Lawyer Howard Calleja also criticized Escudero, saying he broke the rules by not acting “immediately” on Duterte’s case and ending the Senate session two days early. Calleja believes this stopped the impeachment process from moving forward.
But Escudero fired back, saying Calleja does not know everything and that he won’t listen to biased legal opinions. “I will follow the law and do what’s right and fair,” Escudero said.
Why Can’t the Trial Start Now?
Escudero explained that an impeachment trial needs a two-thirds vote to reach a decision. He also doubts that the Senate can finish the trial before June 30, when new senators will take office.
So, for now, VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is on hold—and the political drama continues. Stay tuned! 👀🔥
