Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday defended the new schedule for the presentation of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“When Congress is in recess and as stated in Rule 1 of the Senate’s impeachment rules, the Senate President initially sets the schedule, but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. It can still be changed,” he said.
Escudero noted that the reference made by Senator Aquilino Pimentel to Rule 10 pertains specifically to the actual trial phase.
“We’re not at that stage yet. The trial hasn’t even started, and the impeachment complaint hasn’t been referred to the rules committee which would signal the formation of the impeachment court that will conduct the trial,” he explained.
The referral to the committee is required before the Senate can formally constitute itself as an impeachment court.
The senate chief added that if the full Senate chooses to revise the approach, any change to the rules at this stage could be seen as controversial.
“We’re choosing not to change the rules because people might say we’re altering them in the middle of the game. I’m certain that whatever changes we make now, someone from either side will end up complaining,” he said.
Escudero also addressed concerns about the issuance of a summons to the Vice President once the articles are presented.
He said whether that happens on June 3 or June 11, it would have the same outcome since the period to respond would fall during the congressional recess.
Escudero added that the trial itself, if it proceeds, would not begin until July 28, but legislative priorities up for second and third reading could be affected by delays.
“Surely, if we’re given a choice between two possible actions or two paths to take, we should choose the one that does more for our fellow Filipinos,” he said.
