Senate President Chiz Escudero said the Senate is ready to serve as impeachment court in case the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte reach them.
Escudero however cannot answer if they still have time for it since they barely have six session days left before Christmas break on December 18 and 24 session days before 19th Congress ends.
The Senate President however clarified that the impeachment process is unique because they can still hold the impeachment proceedings even if they are on adjournment or session break.
” Ang impeachment proceedings ay unique na proseso na hindi saklaw at labas ng ordinary sesyon ng senado kung saan kailangan nagsesesyon din ang aming counterpart sa kamara de representante kung yan ang napapagpasyahan ng impeachment court” Escudero said in the Kapihan sa Senado.
While there two pending impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives, Escudero said they have no initial preparations since it is still in the House and has to undergo some processes.
Escudero refused to answer if they still have time for the impeachment in case it is transmitted in the Senate in January 2025 saying it is for the majority of the impeachment court members to decide.
The campaign period for the midterm elections starts in February 2025 but Escudero said it is their work to hear the impeachment complaint if it is transmitted to their chamber.
Escudero reiterated that the decision to go on with the proceedings still depends on the will of the majority of the senate members who will sit as senator-judges.
(Chiz Escudero photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.