No clamor for special session — JV

The majority of senators are not keen on calling for a special session to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senator JV Ejercito said there was no clamor from his fellow senators to ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call for a special session.

“I haven’t heard anything yet, maybe because half of my colleagues are busy with their political campaigns,” Ejercito told reporters in a chance interview.

Seven incumbent senators are seeking reelection in the May midterm elections: Imee Marcos, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Francis Tolentino and Ramon Revilla Jr.

‘The impeachment complaint was not referred to the plenary for there to be a basis for the impeachment court to be convened by the Senate sitting as a legislative body and not as an impeachment court yet.’

Meanwhile, senators on their last term such as Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III are either vying for local seats or taking a break from politics.

To recall, Marcos indicated that he would be open to calling for a special session if the senators formally requested it to tackle the impeachment trial of Duterte.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier said the Senate would act on the impeachment complaints against Duterte after the State of the Nation Address of President Marcos in July.

According to Escudero, who is a lawyer, the Senate can only begin the impeachment trial of Duterte once the chamber is in session.

“Legally it cannot be done. Again as I said because the impeachment court was not convened,” he told reporters during the Kapihan sa Senado when asked whether the Senate can start an impeachment trial while on break.

“The impeachment complaint was not referred to the plenary for there to be a basis for the impeachment court to be convened by the Senate sitting as a legislative body and not as an impeachment court yet,” he added.

While noting that special sessions are typically called for the passage of important legislative measures, Escudero said the Senate could address the impeachment complaint depending on the decision of the lawmakers.

The Senate adjourned its session last week without tackling the impeachment complaint against Duterte, despite the House of Representatives having transmitted the articles of impeachment to the chamber, albeit at the last hour.