Senate won’t rush impeachment, urges respect for legal process

Senate President and Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday said the Senate would not allow itself to be rushed into convening the impeachment court, underscoring the need to follow due process and give fair notice to all parties.

Escudero gave the statement during an interview after leading the unveiling of the Senate Legacy Wall, a mural honoring the senators of the 20th Congress, held at the Senate premises.

He said Aug. 4 is being proposed as the date for the start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, but noted that the matter would still be discussed when session resumes.

“Hindi namin trabaho na madaliin ito. Hindi porke’t nagmamadali sila ay kailangan na rin naming magmadali. Gagawin namin ito sang-ayon sa proseso (It’s not our job to rush this. Just because some are in a hurry doesn’t mean we should be. We will do this according to due process),” he added.

Escudero also underscored the need for proper notification of the concerned parties and emphasized that the House of Representatives must act on the Senate’s order in accordance with the current Congress.

He confirmed that any jurisdictional challenges that may arise during the trial will be subject to a vote, as is the practice in the chamber.

“The Senate is a deliberative body and we settle everything by a vote,” he added.

Addressing calls for him to inhibit from the proceedings, Escudero said he saw no need to do so.

“Kung ang depenisyon nila ng pagiging patas ay kakampi sa kanila, ‘di patas ‘yon (If their definition of fairness is siding with them, then that’s not fair),” he said.

Escudero also maintained that only a formal vote can determine the next Senate President amid reports that a majority of senators are backing his continued leadership.

Meanwhile, Escudero reiterated his strong position against online gambling, calling it a worsening problem that exploits Filipinos.

“Definitely, it cannot go on this way,” he said, citing several bills filed to ban or regulate Philippine inland gaming.

“Kung pinagbawal nga natin ang POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operators) kaugnay ng pagsusugal ng dayuhan, hindi ba dapat lalo ang pagsusugal na Pilipino mismo (If we banned POGOs because of foreign gambling, shouldn’t we be stricter with gambling targeting Filipinos themselves).”