Escudero: Next Congress to decide on VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Vice President Sara Duterte. | PHOTOS: Senate PRIB and official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is almost certain that the impeachment bid against Vice President Sara Duterte will be decided by the next Congress.

“That’s almost certain. It will reach the 20th Congress, and the decision will be made by the 20th Congress and not the 19th Congress,” Escudero said in Filipino at the regular Kapihan sa Senado forum when asked about the impeachment bid against Duterte.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte with 215 of 306 lawmakers endorsing the verified complaint against her.

Shortly after, the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte was transmitted to the Senate for trial.

READ: House impeaches Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate

However, the Senate adjourned its session without discussing the impeachment case in the plenary.

Escudero explained that the Senate should be in session to convene an impeachment court that would try the case against Duterte.

Though it could still be done when sessions resume on June 2, the Senate chief noted that they would only have six session days before the 19th Congress closes on June 13.

Escudero though believes that like collegial courts, the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court, can continue its trial even after the 19th Congress.

READ: No impeachment trial vs VP Duterte during break of Congress – Escudero

The 20th Congress will commence in July.

“This is not a typical bill, in my view, that at the end of Congress, you have to file it again. If it is not approved, it must be approved again by both chambers,” he explained in Filipino.

He stressed that acting as an impeachment court is separate from the legislative function of the Senate.

“So what can we compare it to? The collegial courts. What are collegial courts? Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court. Include the constitutional commission, including the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Elections,” he said.

Cases pending before these courts, he said, continue despite the changes in their composition.

“The cases continue even though the members of the collegial court change, just like impeachment,” he said in Filipino.