Escudero cites 3 reasons for one-week impeachment delay

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed he is proposing an Aug. 4 reconvening of the Impeachment Court — one week after the 20th Congress opens its session — citing the need for proper notices to be issued and requirements for lawmakers to comply with.

“’Yun ‘yung imumungkahi ko [That is my proposal],” Escudero told Senate reporters in a chance interview during the unveiling of the legacy wall featuring 20th Congress senators on Monday, July 21.

Senator Joel Villanueva said last week that Escudero has begun informal discussions with some senators regarding the timeline of the impeachment proceedings.

Some lawmakers, including Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Ping Lacson, have said they will seek a clear justification for the proposed one-week delay. Escudero said such concerns can be addressed in plenary when the session opens on Monday, July 28, and the final date can then be announced.

Escudero cited three main reasons for his proposed Aug. 4 schedule. First, he said the parties involved - including the prosecution and the defense - must be formally notified about the proceedings.

“Kailangang may sapat na panahon para mabigyan ng notice yung mga partido [There must be enough time to give notice to the parties],” he said.

However, Escudero said such notices cannot yet be issued, as the Senate of the 20th Congress has yet to decide whether it will honor the decisions made by the 19th Congress.

“Sinabi ko na sa inyo noon yan [I already told you that], the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress,” Escudero said.

“The 20th Congress will have to make decisions all over again – not only the Senate, including the House. Kaya nga kasama sa order na binigay ng Senado sa Kamara, pagtibayin niyo na gusto niyo pa rin ito sa ilalim ng 20th Congress [That’s why the Senate included in its order to the House the instruction to confirm that you still intend to pursue this under the 20th Congress],” he added.

Under the 19th Congress, which adjourned on June 30, the Senate convened as an Impeachment Court and remanded the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives. The court also issued two directives: a certification that the complaint was not in violation of the Constitution, and a communication from the new set of House members affirming that it intends to pursue the trial.

The House has yet to comply with the second requirement, which Escudero cited as the third reason the trial cannot yet begin.

He said the one-week window between the opening of the session on July 28 and the proposed Aug. 4 reconvening should be enough time for the House to comply.

“Kung hindi man nila ma-comply yun pagdating ng Aug. 4, edi dun na lang namin pag-uusapan [If they are unable to comply by Aug. 4, then we will just discuss it at that point],” he said.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally, has also announced his intention to raise the issue of the 20th Congress Senate’s jurisdiction over the case. Escudero confirmed that the matter would be decided through a vote.

He declined to speculate on what would happen should the majority decide that the Senate lacks jurisdiction to proceed with the impeachment.

“Siguro, pwede mo rin tanungin sa Korte Suprema yan kung ano ang next step - depende sa magiging desisyon nila [Maybe you can also ask the Supreme Court what the next step would be - it depends on their decision],” Escudero said.

Duterte earlier asked the Supreme Court to halt the impeachment proceedings, arguing that the complaint against her violates the Constitution. While the high court has yet to issue a ruling, it has requested additional information from Congress.

“This is a first time for all of us so hintayin natin kung ano ang magiging pasya ng mayorya, pasyang Senado, pasya ng Korte Suprema sa bagay na ito [This is a first time for all of us, so let’s wait and see what the majority decides, what the Senate decides, and what the Supreme Court decides on this matter],” he added.