Chiz Escudero: Unsure if enough time for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

It is still indefinite if there is enough time for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said on Thursday.

"Hindi ko alam kung may oras nga ba o wala dahil kada impeachment iba-iba ang proseso," Escudero said, noting that the 19th Congress would end in 2025 due to the midterm elections in May.

(I don't know if there is time or not because the process varies with each impeachment.)

"Pero ano mang trabaho ang ibabato sa Senado, susubukan naming gampanan dahil tungkulin naming yun na dinggin anumang kasong ihahain sa amin," he added.

(Whatever task is thrown at the Senate, we will try to fulfill it because it is our duty to hear any case presented to us.)

The Senate president cited the case of the late former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona whose impeachment process started in December and ended in the last week of May, 2012.

However, he pointed out that it was not an election year when Corona was impeached.

"'Yung taong yun walang eleksyon. So iba-iba yung time table so hindi ko kayang sagutin kung kakayanin pa nga ba o hindi," he said.

(There were no elections when the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona took place. The timelines are different, so I can't answer whether it will be possible or not.)

"Ang impeachment proceedings ay unique na proseso na hindi saklaw at labas sa ordinaryong sesyon ng Senado kung saan kailangan nagse-sesyon din ang aming counterpart sa Kamara de Representantes," he added.

(The impeachment proceedings are a unique process that is not covered by or part of the ordinary Senate session, during which our counterparts in the House of Representatives also need to be in session.)

One of the issues that needs clarification, Escudero said, is if the impeachment complaint could continue once the 19th Congress ends.

"Dapat tignan at pag-aralan at suriin din kapag ito ay inabutan sa anumang stage, hindi pa nare-refer sa amin o na-refer na sa amin ng pagpasok ng 20th Congress, tanong ang bibitawan ko katulad ba ito ng ibang bill na kailangang magsimula ulit? Back to square one o magsu-survive ba ito ng 19th Congress at tatawid sa 20th Congress?" Escudero raised.

(It should be looked at, studied, and examined, especially if it reaches us at any stage, whether it has not yet been referred to us or has already been referred at the beginning of the 20th Congress. My question is, is this similar to other bills that need to start over? Are we going back to square one, or will it survive the 19th Congress and carry over into the 20th Congress?)

"Tiyak ko may magkukwestiyon sa korte niyan dahil unique at bagong proseso ito," he added.

(I'm sure there will be questions in court about that because it's a unique and new process.)

At this point, Escudero said the Senate is not yet preparing for the Vice President’s impeachment trial.

"Sa ngayon wala kaming initial preparations," he stated, explaining that the rules that will govern the impeachment procedure will depend on the endorsement of the complaint that was filed in the House of Representatives.

(Currently, we have no initial preparations.)

Escudero also said that he will not advise his colleagues to prepare for the possibility of impeachment.

"Ayokong i-assume yung mangyayari at ayokong pangunahan. One way or the other dahil kapag sinabi kong maghanda na, magsimula na kayo, mag-ready-get-set pero wala pang go, baka isipin ako’y pumapabor o kumikiling sa paghain o pag-sampa," he said.

(I don’t want to assume what will happen. One way or another, if I say to get ready, to start, or to prepare, but there’s no go signal yet, people might think I’m favoring or leaning towards one side in the presentation or the proceedings.

"Kung sa tingin nila malaki ang posibilidad na kailangan na magsimula mag-aral, nasa sa kanila ‘yon. Kung mabilis naman sila mag-aral, mabilis matuto hindi pa siguro muna kailangan hanggang nandiyan na," he added.

(If they think that there is a big possibility that this impeachment complaint will succeed and they need to study, then it is up to them. If they are fast learners then I don't think they need to study yet.)

Duterte is currently facing two impeachment complaints filed by various groups on several grounds.

This, amid the ongoing rift with her 2022 elections running-mate President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

For his part, Marcos previously said he is not supportive of any impeachment plan against Duterte, believing that it would not benefit the lives of Filipinos.

The impeachment process begins at the House of Representatives where any member or citizen can file a verified complaint which shall be endorsed by any House member. This shall be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days and referred to the proper House committee within three session days thereafter.

After conducting a hearing and by a majority of votes by the panel members, the House committee shall submit a report to the House within 60 session days. The resolution will be calendared by the House within 10 session days.

A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee, or override its contrary resolution.

The approved resolution shall be endorsed to the Senate which will try to convict the impeached official. An official shall be convicted if two-thirds of the Senate votes.

—RF, GMA Integrated News