đź“·Senate President Francis “Cihiz” Escudero
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero stated that the impeachment court will start hearing the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions — that means after Sona. Sona I think is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” Escudero said in a press conference on Monday, February 10.
Senators whose terms are still active, including Escudero and the newly elected senators, will serve as jurors in this court.
Escudero acknowledged the challenges in establishing rules for the impeachment court, which will guide the trial process, including issuing summons and conducting pre-trial briefings. He confirmed that the hearing will begin the day after the President’s SONA.
He emphasized that he does not need to request a special session from the President to address the interests of those advocating for the impeachment court in the Senate.
Both chambers of Congress will reconvene on June 2 after a break for the upcoming midterm elections in May.
Escudero expressed confidence that the verified complaint from the lower house against Duterte will be discussed when sessions resume. However, he noted that the impeachment court hearing is unlikely to start due to time constraints, as the session will only last six days before another recess, coinciding with the President’s fourth SONA and the arrival of newly elected legislators.
In the interim between the Senate’s break and the SONA, the President will issue summons to both the accused and the prosecution. Following this, a pre-trial will take place where judicial affidavits will be submitted. (NINO ACLAN)
