Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero clarified that the responsibility of deciding whether to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte now lies with the incoming 20th Congress.
The 20th Congress is set to open on July 28, coinciding with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). Escudero noted that with only six plenary sessions left before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13, it will be up to the newly convened legislative body to take action, starting July 29.
He emphasized that any decision made by the 19th Congress cannot dictate the course for the next Congress. The 20th Congress will have the autonomy to either move forward with or dismiss the impeachment trial through a formal vote or even by choosing not to act.
"The 19th Congress may decide to proceed, but the 20th can choose to halt it. The plenary's decision is always supreme, regardless of who holds leadership roles in the Senate or House," Escudero explained.
Political Affiliations and Impartiality
Five senators endorsed by PDP-Laban, chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte—Sara Duterte's father—will be part of the 20th Congress: Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, and Camille Villar. They will join Senator Robin Padilla, the current party president. Other senators are either independent or aligned with different political groups.
Escudero called on the incoming senators, who will serve as judges in the impeachment court, to remain impartial until the case has been fully heard. He noted that any decision to inhibit from the trial is voluntary and not subject to a vote.
Trial Schedule
When asked if the impeachment trial would begin on July 30 as scheduled, Escudero said that unless senators decide otherwise, it should proceed as planned. As per the proposed timeline, senator-judges will take their oaths on July 29 at 9:00 a.m., with the plenary session following in the afternoon. The trial is set to begin the next day, July 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Last week, Escudero postponed the reading of the impeachment charges from June 2 to June 11 to make room for pending legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 14.
House Position
House Speaker Martin Romualdez acknowledged the Senate’s authority over the next steps. "The Senate President’s letter was clear. The impeachment case is already with the Senate, so it’s their decision how they proceed," he stated.
Constitutional Duty
Former senator and incoming ML party-list representative Leila de Lima argued that convening the impeachment court is not optional, as it is mandated by the Constitution. She expressed disappointment in Escudero’s remarks, saying they did not provide clarity or resolve doubts regarding whether the trial would proceed.
De Lima emphasized that the Constitution overrides all branches of government, including the legislature. She added that there is a clear obligation to pursue the trial in the interest of truth and accountability, urging senators not to pre-judge the case before reviewing the evidence.
“This isn’t about political persecution. There’s an accused and there should be a trial. That’s the duty of the court,” De Lima said, pointing out that evidence presented during House inquiries supports the impeachment.
She rejected comparisons to her own past legal troubles, which she described as politically motivated, unlike the current allegations against Duterte, which she said are based on solid grounds.
Impeachment Background
On February 5, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Duterte, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. She faces accusations including betrayal of public trust, violating the Constitution, corruption, and other serious charges. The complaint stems largely from the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds and issuing threats against the President, First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez.
In response, Duterte expressed readiness for the trial, even referring to it as a “bloodbath,” which she later clarified to mean figuratively her own.
— Daily Kwento
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