‘Awkward’ to voluntarily call special session for impeachment: Palace

FILE: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte (1st and 2nd from left) kick off their nationwide campaign for president and vice president, respectively, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Tuesday (Feb. 8, 2022). They were joined by their senatorial candidates, led by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (3rd from left). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – It would be “awkward” for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to “voluntarily” call a special session to expedite the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary, lawyer Claire Castro, said there is no request yet for a special congressional session to start the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

“So, it is better for the Senate to request the President, considering that even the President made this pronouncement that if the Senate will ask him to call for a special session, he will do so,” Castro said.

“Kung papansinin niyo po ang (If you will take a look at the) Constitution, the President may call [a] special session anytime,” she added.

This, as Castro acknowledged that there is a “gray area” in the Constitution, if the impeachment proceedings could start during Congress’ recess.

She said Marcos may call a session for the impeachment trial “anytime without any condition.”

“If you will look and read the provisions of the Constitution, you will see po, ‘to fortwith proceed’ pero wala pong makikitang (but there is no) time element. Is it to forthwith proceed even during recess? Because they can proceed definitely, if there is session. There’s no question about that. But to proceed during recess, may (there is a) gray area po iyan sa (in the) Constitution,” Castro said.

“So, with that, hindi lang po ito (special session) limitado sa kung may urgency patungkol sa (this is not just limited to whether there is urgency for a) bill or legislation. But we believe it includes also the impeachment trial.”

The House of Representatives on Feb. 5 impeached Duterte and immediately transmitted the complaint to the Senate.

The impeachment complaint against Duterte revolves around six major allegations, each linked to alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and other laws.

Senate President Francis Escudero on Feb. 24 said a special session is needed before the Senate can start the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.