Bato says he supports Chiz’s call regarding VP Sara impeachment trial

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Thursday said he supports Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero's moves in relation to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

“I’m following the lead of our Senate President. I presume alam na alam niya yung ginagawa niya [he knows what he’s doing] and he has my support,” Dela Rosa said in an ambush interview during his campaign in Ermita, Manila.

“I’m supporting his effort dahil nga, kung baga, pinanindigan niya yung kanyang pinaniwalaang tama at saka yung sinabi niya pine-preserve niya yung integridada ng Senado,” he added.

(I’m supporting his effort because he is committed to his beliefs and he said he is preserving the integrity of the Senate.)

Escudero had released the proposed timeline for Duterte’s impeachment trial, with a tentative start on July 30.

The proposed calendar was attached to a letter dated February 24, which included the Special Order that designates various Senate offices as administrative support to the impeachment court.

The letter was also sent to his colleagues, Duterte, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte earlier this month, with 215 congresspeople endorsing the verified complaint against her. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day, but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case.

Meanwhile, Duterte has filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the validity of the impeachment complaint.

Dela Rosa, who is seeking reelection in the 2025 May polls, received Duterte's endorsement last week. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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