📷Senate President Francis Escudero
FROM how it looks, even Senate President Francis Escudero is aware that the upper changer is headed for a change in wardrobe – from legislator to magistrate, amid an impending impeachment case being hatched against Vice President Sara Duterte.
This comes as Escudero appealed to fellow senators to refrain from making side comments or issuing statements on the potential impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, or anyone else for that matter.
According to Escudero, it is inappropriate for senators to make premature statements which could adversely affect the impartiality of the Philippine Senate which would act as the court once the impeachment case is endorsed by the House of Representatives.
The Senate chief had previously sought to react to the impeachment case being hatched by the House of Representatives against VP Sara for which he declined to comment, citing the Senate’s potential role in impeachment proceedings.
Under the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Proceedings, the House of Representatives holds the exclusive right to initiate an impeachment case, while the Senate tries and decides on the case.
“Nais ko rin paalalahanan ang aming kasamahan sa Senado na huwag magsalita kaugnay sa anumang kwento, chismis, o usapin ng impeachment dahil ayon sa batas, posibleng makarating ‘yan sa Senado,” Escudero said.
In three previous impeachment cases – a former President and two former Supreme Court Justices – senators acted as magistrates during the trial.
“Hindi maganda na sabihang miyembro ng Senado na prejudge o mayroon nang kapasyahan bago dumating dito ang anumang kaso,” he quipped. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
