By Gabriel Kim Leal
(June 9, 2025) – Despite mounting pressure, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero on Monday said the upper house won’t be rushed into starting the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Schools, organizations, constitutional experts, and current and former lawmakers have called on the Senate to move quickly. But Escudero insisted the trial will follow proper procedure, and not anyone’s personal timeline.
“‘Di porke pabor sila sa impeachment, ayaw nila kay VP Sara, at gusto nilang matanggal siya ay mamadaliin at susundin namin sila,” said Escudero in a media conference.
“Sa kabilang banda, ‘yung mga may ayaw naman, hindi rin namin patatagalin ang proseso. Susundan namin ang proseso, sinuman ang paboran at tamaan, sinumang masaktan at makinabang sa proseso.”
Escudero initially set the proceedings for June 2 but later moved it to June 11 — a delay that legal experts and constitutionalists said violates the 1987 Constitution. The Constitution mandates the Senate to “forthwith proceed” with the trial once the House transmits the articles of impeachment.
Schools like the UP College of Law and San Beda Graduate School of Law warned that the delay sets a dangerous precedent.
“There is no sound constitutional and legal basis for any delay in the trial. In fact, an undue delay sends the signal to the nation that mandated processes are thwarted for ulterior ends,” said the San Beda in a joint statement.
Still, Escudero stood by the decision, saying the Senate won’t act based on public pressure.
“Gusto nila madaliin namin ang constitutional duty. Gagampanan namin ‘yun, hindi sa oras na gusto nila. Porke’t nagmamadali sila, wala namang nagsabi na hindi naming gagampanan. Proseso ito na dapat sundan, at sinusundan, hindi sa pinili nilang panahon,” stressed Escudero.
The House impeached Duterte in February, but her trial has yet to begin amid disagreements in the Senate on when to start and whether to proceed with the impeachment process.
A draft resolution seeking to block the trial also reportedly circulated among senators. The draft — authored by Senator Bato dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally — claimed that the trial violates Duterte’s right to a speedy process.
Escudero, however, clarified that no formal resolution has been filed to stop the trial.
“Hindi ko gusto si VP Sara pero hindi rin ako galit sa kanya. I’m performing my role the best way I see fit without any fear or bias in favor or against anyone,” added Escudero.
(With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)
(CMZ)
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