House members divided on special impeach session

Opposition lawmakers have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call for a special session that would compel the Senate to immediately convene as an impeachment court. They argued the Senate’s inaction risked derailing a future trial by Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp.

In a joint statement Monday, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, who comprise the Makabayan bloc, stressed the need for a special session to block the “legal maneuvers being employed by the Duterte camp to delay and derail” the impeachment proceedings.

Last week, Duterte and a group of Mindanao lawyers allied with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order to halt the Senate’s impending trial. They cited the alleged unconstitutionality of the articles of impeachment, including a violation of the one-year bar.

“If the President is really open to the special session, then he should do it outright without waiting for a request from the Senate President or the House Speaker,” the three said.

“The continued postponement of the impeachment trial is worrisome. Every day that passes is another day delaying justice for the people,” they added in a statement.

Under Article VI, Section 15 of the Constitution, the President has the power to “call a special session at any time.” However, Marcos has said he would only do so upon the Senate’s request.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has maintained that the impeachment trial would begin when the 20th Congress convenes in late July, or after 12 new senators are sworn in. He said that no pressure from the House could sway the Senate to act unless the President intervened.

Critics have speculated that the Senate’s reluctance to start the proceedings is tied to the midterm elections, with some accusing reelectionist senators of playing it safe.

The Makabayan bloc argued that Marcos should not allow “politicians with narrow interests” to hold the impeachment process “hostage” by delaying the trial.

While some House members have urged the Senate to proceed with the trial, administration lawmakers have denied any intention to seek Marcos’ intervention to force the Senate’s hand.

Manila Rep. Ernix Dionisio and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong emphasized the importance of the separation of powers, stating that neither branch of government should overstep its mandate.

“President Bongbong Marcos should not interfere in the impeachment process. The Constitution states that it is the sole responsibility of Congress and the Senate to conduct the trial. It makes no sense for us to involve the President in that,” Dionisio told reporters Monday.