Chiz: Sara’s impeachment trial to proceed unless SC blocks it

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed on Friday, 28 February 2025, that the Senate will "definitely" move forward with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, unless the Supreme Court (SC) intervenes.

In a radio interview, Escudero stated that the Senate is already preparing for the trial, as there is no Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Supreme Court halting the proceedings.

“Mayroon tiyak na impeachment trial maliban na lang kung pigilan ng Korte Suprema at pagpasyahan ng Senado na katigan ito ngayon, dahil wala naman TRO ay mayroon at yan na ang pinaghahandaan naming ngayon,” Escudero said. (There will definitely be an impeachment trial unless the Supreme Court stops it or the Senate decides otherwise. Since there is no TRO, it will proceed, and we are preparing for it now.)

No Special Session for the Impeachment Trial

Escudero reiterated that he has no plans to call a special session while the Senate is on break, citing constitutional guidelines.

“Wala kaming balak gawin iyon. Ayon sa Saligang Batas, pwede lamang humiling ng special session para sa urgent legislation. Hindi ito urgent legislation,” he explained.(We have no plans to do that. According to the Constitution, we can only request a special session for urgent legislation. This is not urgent legislation.)

He further clarified that the Senate cannot call a special session for an impeachment trial, emphasizing that their actions align with the Constitution.

“Sa kasong inihain ni VP Sara, necessary party lang, wala namang sinabing may ginawang mali ang Senado,” he said.(In the case filed by VP Sara, we are just a necessary party; there is no accusation that the Senate did anything wrong.)

Impeachment trial to begin in June

Escudero previously stated that Duterte’s impeachment trial will likely begin after the opening of the 20th Congress.

“Itong kalendaryo namin inaprubahan namin noong Hulyo ng nakaraang taon na mag-aadjourn kami noong Pebrero 7 at magre-resume kami ng Hunyo 2,” he said.(Our calendar, which we approved last July, specifies that we would adjourn on February 7 and resume on June 2.)

According to him, the trial will proceed if no TRO is issued by the Supreme Court.

“Kung walang magaganap na special session, ‘yong calendar o schedule na pinapanukala ng legal team ng Senado na sinulat ko sa mga senador, copy furnished ang mga partido, ang House at ang tanggapan ni VP Sara, ‘yon yung magiging itsura nito,” he stressed.(If there’s no special session, the proposed calendar by the Senate legal team, which I wrote to the senators and furnished copies to the involved parties, will serve as the basis. However, this schedule is not set in stone.)

Proper impeachment process must be followed

Escudero emphasized that the impeachment trial must follow due process, including the reading of the articles of impeachment in the Senate plenary.

“Kabilang na diyan ang pagbabasa ng articles of impeachment sa plenaryo ng Senado na siyang magsisilbing hudyat para i-convene yung impeachment court at manumpa kami bilang impeachment court judges,” he explained. ("Included in that is the reading of the articles of impeachment in the Senate plenary, which will serve as the signal to convene the impeachment court and for us to take an oath as impeachment court judges.")

He also dismissed claims that the Senate is intentionally delaying the trial.

“Hindi totoo ‘yon… Hindi kami pwedeng magsimula ng impeachment kapag recess kami,” he said. ("That’s not true… We cannot start an impeachment trial while we are in recess.")

Escudero warned that rushing the trial could cause more delays, citing the House of Representatives' alleged fast-tracking of impeachment proceedings.

“Malaki ang posibilidad. Ngayon nga, tingnan mo na lamang ‘yong sa Kamara — ‘di umano inapura raw kaya umakyat agad si VP Sara,” he pointed out. ("The possibility is high. Look at what happened in the House — they allegedly rushed it, which led to VP Sara filing her case immediately.")

No personal interest in the vice presidency

Addressing speculation that he may be eyeing the Vice Presidency, Escudero firmly denied any interest in the position.

“Hindi ako interesado maging Vice President. Dahil dala ng delicadeza gayundin dala ng personal na pananaw, hindi ako interesado at hindi tamang tanggapin o kunin ko yan,” (I’m not interested in becoming Vice President. Due to delicadeza and personal convictions, I have no interest in accepting or pursuing that position.) che said.

With the impeachment trial set to begin in June, all eyes are now on whether the Supreme Court will intervene and issue a TRO that could delay or halt the proceedings.