Escudero to consult senators on VP Sara’s impeachment trial timing

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

“(I) Will consult the others if they want to and if they are available,” Escudero said. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero said Friday he would consult fellow senators regarding Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III’s proposal to hold an all-member caucus and begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in March.

“(I) Will consult the others if they want to and if they are available,” Escudero said.

“I, however, disagree with him that we can start trial during the recess when we are not in session by simply agreeing among ourselves to do so. This may bring our actions into question before the courts. Prudence, as they say, is the better part of valor.”

Earlier, Pimentel said he would request Escudero to call for an all-senator caucus to discuss plans for the impeachment proceedings, including whether they should commence during the break.

He pointed out that the Senate has a solid legal basis to act on an impeachment complaint even without a special session called by the President.

He clarified that the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, does not require the same special session that only the President can convene, which involves both chambers of Congress.

Constitutional breach?

Meanwhile, Escudero addressed allegations by 1Sambayan convenor and law professor Howard Calleja, who claimed that the senator committed a “constitutional breach” for failing to act “forthwith” on the impeachment case and for supposedly prematurely adjourning the Senate session.

“While I respect Atty. Calleja’s opinion, he does not have a monopoly of all legal knowledge to accuse anyone of anything,” he said.

“Further, as I have stated before, I will not dignify nor listen to partisan legal opinions or positions for or against the impeachment of VP Sara. I will follow the law and what I believe to be right and fair.”

Calleja claims that Escudero’s decision to adjourn the Senate session with two days remaining in its legislative calendar violates his constitutional mandate.

Arguing that the regular session of Congress was originally scheduled to conclude on Feb. 7, he said the term “forthwith” in the constitutional provision mandating the Senate’s duty to act on impeachment complaints has a clear and unequivocal meaning, leaving no room for delay.