Can’t set Duterte trial date yet - Escudero

Metro Manila, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has rejected the House prosecution team’s call to set a date for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing the need to first comply with certain procedural requirements.

”Sa 20th Congress na ‘yon [That will be for the 20th Congress],” Escudero, presiding officer of the Impeachment Court, said in a press conference on Wednesday, June 25.

“Kasi paano mo nga ise-set ‘yon nang walang prosekusyon [How can you even set that without a prosecution panel]?” he added.

Escudero noted that the incumbent prosecutors’ authority will lapse with the adjournment of the 19th Congress on June 30.

Antonio Bucoy, spokesperson for the House prosecution panel, said Tuesday that the panel will request the immediate start of pre-trial and trial proceedings after submitting its reply to Duterte’s answer ad cautelam, which is due by June 30.

“Kahit ‘yong authorization ni Attorney Bucoy ay hanggang June 30 lamang. Mag-e-expire ang magla-lapse din ‘yon,” Escudero quipped.

[Translation: Even Attorney Bucoy’s authority only lasts until June 30. That will also lapse.]

Asked about his earlier timeline suggesting a July 30 trial start, Escudero admitted he had overlooked the fact that - unlike senators - the prosecutors’ authority only extends until the end of the 19th Congress.

He said the 20th Congress must first convene, formally appoint and authorize a new set of prosecutors in plenary, submit their compliance with the Impeachment Court’s directive, and only then can a trial date be scheduled.

On Wednesday, the House prosecution team fulfilled one of two requirements set by the court to resolve legal issues: a certification affirming that the verified impeachment complaint did not violate the Constitution. Still pending is an attestation that members of the 20th Congress are committed to pursuing the trial.

Escudero said he personally believes the Impeachment Court should reconvene only after these conditions are met — subject to the concurrence of his fellow senator-judges.

“But on its own, the Impeachment Court can also convene on any other matter it may want to take up or decide on its own. Pwede naman din ‘yon. Kahilingan lamang ng isang Impeachment Court judge ang kinakailangan. Siyempre, pag-uusapan, subject to an agreement of consensus to the Impeachment Court judges,” he said.

[Translation: But on its own, the Impeachment Court can also convene to take up or decide on any other matter it deems necessary. That’s allowed. It only takes a request from one Impeachment Court judge. Of course, it will be discussed and will still be subject to the consensus of the other Impeachment Court judges.]

He did not elaborate on what issues might justify a convening of the court.