Senate President Francis Escudero ruled out the possibility of an all-senator caucus for now, despite calls from Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros.
“I asked some of them, and they were either not interested or too busy. How can it be an all-senator caucus when some are traveling, some are abroad, others are unavailable, and some simply do not want to participate?” Escudero said.
“As I said, no matter what we do, we cannot start anything without a session. Whatever we agree on will not be official because any vote we take can still change once we resume or formally convene,” he added.
Escudero stated that while he plans to meet with Pimentel on Friday, there are no immediate plans for a formal caucus to discuss the impending trial on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Responding to Hontiveros’ remarks, he dismissed claims of delays, insisting that the Senate is acting in accordance with legal and constitutional procedures.
Escudero recalled past impeachment trials, particularly that of former President Joseph Estrada, where the term “forthwith” was debated by senators, including the late Miriam Defensor Santiago.
“We are not delaying, we are simply proceeding with it legally, constitutionally, and in accordance with law. For us not to follow the law will, in fact, create more delay or more opportunities for either party to go up and question the proceedings we’re undertaking,” the Senate President said.
