No delay in VP’s impeachment trial despite FPRRD’s ICC case – Chiz

FILE: ACCOUNTABILITY. Vice President Sara Duterte takes her oath during the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s probe into the alleged misuse of her office’s fund on Nov. 25, 2024. Senior House leaders on Friday (Nov. 29, 2024) said the House is committed to upholding transparency and accountability, and the primary focus of the House inquiries is on uncovering the truth behind the use of confidential funds and addressing any alleged irregularities during the previous administration. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate President Francis”Chiz” Escudero on Monday dismissed speculations that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would affect the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, asserting the two matters are unrelated.

“Magkahiwalay na insidente yun. Wala akong nakikitang ugnayan ng dalawang yun at hindi rason na maantala anuman ang dapat gawin ng Senado kaugnay sa trabaho namin dito at kung anuman ang nangyayari sa (Those are separate incidents. I see no connection between the two and there is no reason to delay whatever the Senate should do in relation to our work here and whatever is happening in the) The Hague,” Escudero said in a briefing at the Senate.

The Senate is scheduled to handle the impeachment case vs. the Vice President a day after the resumption of its session on June 2.

The former president was arrested on March 11, 2025, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 upon his arrival from Hong Kong with his family. He is currently detained at The Hague while facing crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Wala sa batas na ipagpapaliban namin ang impeachment dahil may (isyung may kinalaman sa) ICC. Wala sa batas na ipagpapaliban namin ang impeachment dahil may kilos protesta. Walang ganong basehan para magbago anumang ninanais o direksyon ng schedule na nais naming tahakin sa ngayon (There is no law that we will postpone the impeachment because there is an ICC-related factor. There is no law that we will postpone the impeachment because there is a protest action. There is no such basis to change any desire or direction of the schedule that we want to take right now),” he explained.

Escudero also confirmed that the impeachment timetable remains the same as previously proposed, emphasizing that it will only be finalized when the Senate resumes session.

The Senate President earlier announced that they are set to convene as an Impeachment Court on June 3 with senator judges taking their oaths of office.