Don’t prejudge Sara, Chiz tells senators: Says they’ll sit as impeachment judges

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero stressed on Sunday that the upper chamber would neither expedite nor delay the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte for any party’s benefit.

Escudero said in a radio interview that the Senate would not rush the process to appease any political factions or public outcry.

“Well, most of those complaining like that, I won’t generalize — are either against the Vice President, they hate Duterte and want her to be impeached. They want to rush things and have her removed. Let me repeat, we will not give attention to anyone who is anti or pro-Duterte, or anyone who is anti or pro-impeachment,” he said.

Escudero also stressed that no political pressures would affect the impartiality of the impeachment case against the Vice President, ensuring a fair process for Duterte as a respondent.

Escudero urged his fellow senators, particularly those seeking reelection or running for the upcoming 20th Congress, to refrain from making statements that might appear to pre-judge the impeachment trial.

He noted that “they will be sitting as impeachment judges when the time comes.” Escudero said senators must study and ensure that the case would be approached impartially.

Further, Escudero vowed transparency in the case, confirming that the Senate would soon make the articles of impeachment publicly available on its official website.

He then dismissed rumors of any political bias.

“We will not favor her, so we will not rush the process, but we will not unnecessarily delay it either. We will simply do what is right, regardless of any shouting or noise directed at her. And if things are moving quickly, we will not slow them down, even if those in favor of her cause a commotion, jump, or shout,” he said.

No special session plan

When asked about the possibility of a special session being called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the impeachment case, Escudero said there was no communication regarding such a plan. However, he clarified that if the President would call a special session, the senators would be required to attend.

Marcos earlier said he is open to calling a special session but emphasized that the Senate must make a formal request.

However, Escudero sees no need to call for a special session, pointing out that previous impeachment cases were not fast-tracked and that no senators have suggested such a request.

“Vice President Sara Duterte is not special. The position of the Vice President is not exempt from the usual process; we won’t rush things for her, just as we didn’t for the Chief Justice, or the Ombudsman.

They are all impeachable officers who, under the Constitution, should be treated equally — no more, no less. No one should have an advantage or be at a disadvantage,” he said.

Fourth complaint

“Because that is a public document, it is not a secret meant to be kept from the public and to avoid allegations that it is being hidden, someone is being favored or it’s a secret,” he said.

Duterte became the first Vice President in history to be impeached by Congress on charges of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption and other high crimes.

At least 215 House members — more than double the required one-third votes (102 signatories) — backed her removal.

One of the impeachment grounds was her alleged plot to assassinate Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, which she again denied.

“I didn’t make an assassination threat to the president. They are the only ones saying that,” Duterte asserted.

The Articles of Impeachment submitted by the House to the Senate on Wednesday marked the fourth complaint against the VP in two months.

On Friday, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told DAILY TRIBUNE that 25 more lawmakers planned to take an oath before him on Monday to officially add their names as complainants in the Articles of Impeachment.

This could potentially raise the total number of petitioners to 240 — over 80 percent of the 306-member House of Representatives.

In addition to the alleged assassination plot, House lawmakers accused Duterte of misusing millions of pesos in confidential funds and bribing her subordinates in the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary.

Duterte, however, refuted the accusations, describing the House investigation into her use of secret funds as a “well-funded” and “coordinated political attack” designed to tarnish her reputation before the election and block her from future political races.

Romualdez, whom Duterte blamed for orchestrating the House probe, is considered a strong rival for the 2028 elections, though the House Speaker has repeatedly denied any plans to run.

Updated rules

The Senate should consider allowing proceedings to push through even in the event Duterte resigns.

“Let’s see the effect of the resignation under the updated rules on impeachment that the Senate will do,” Defensor said in Filipino in an interview.

“I hope that the impeachment trial will be allowed to continue because if a high-ranking government official is morally, mentally or psychologically unfit if proven, then [trial] must continue, and she will be convicted of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.”

Administration allies have accused Duterte of being mentally incapacitated following a series of sensational meltdowns last year, including imagining of decapitating the President and threats to kill the First Couple and Romualdez.

Lawyer and constitutional professor Antonio “Tony” La Viña said that while such a process could be moot and academic, the Senate impeachment court, however, could still convict and perpetually disqualify Duterte in case she resigns.

“If the official resigns before conviction, the process may become moot and academic, meaning there would be no need to remove someone who is no longer in office. But the officer can still be convicted by the impeachment court and a penalty of disqualification to hold public office may still be imposed against the official,” La Viña wrote in his Facebook.