Chiz won’t budge: No shortcut for Sara’s impeachment

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reaffirmed on Wednesday that he will not violate legal procedures in handling the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“No amount of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it by convening the impeachment court during recess and without complying with the requisite conditions precedent,” Escudero stated, responding to calls from House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre.

Acidre had urged the Senate not to delay the trial, citing plans by civil society groups to gather one million signatures in support of immediate impeachment proceedings.

“Hindi na siguro kailangan ng public clamor. Kasi tungkulin at mandato naman ng Senado na dinggin ang anumang impeachment complaint na dumarating sa kanila. At hindi para iwasan o lunurin ito sa technicality. Mas maganda siguro na simulan na lang ‘yung trial,” Acidre said.

He argued that delaying the process only benefits Duterte, creating a “sense of impunity” and diminishing the seriousness of alleged misconduct in the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President.

Escudero, however, emphasized that legal procedures must be respected, regardless of political pressure.

“The law is not bendable and should not bow to anyone’s dictate simply because of their own desire, bias, and timetable of wanting to rush the impeachment proceedings versus VP Sara,” he stated.

Acidre previously accused the Senate leadership of intentionally delaying the impeachment trial, criticizing Escudero’s announcement that proceedings would likely start on 30 July when the 20th Congress resumes.

Escudero countered that the delay originated in the House, which took over two months to transmit the Articles of Impeachment, only doing so on 5 February, the Senate’s final session day before the break.

“If he does not want to, then why did they (the House) delay the filing of the complaint before the Senate by sitting on the three impeachment complaints for more than two months without referring it to the Speaker, despite their own rules (Section 3) that state that their SecGen ‘shall immediately’ refer it to the Speaker?” Escudero questioned.

The Senate President reiterated that he will not be swayed by external pressure from either side of the political spectrum.

“As I have said, we will follow the law and the rules regardless of who it happens to benefit. We will not delay (and are not delaying) anything and neither will we unduly rush doing anything that is contrary to law simply because some sectors are asking for it,” he said.

Escudero maintained that the Senate’s role is to ensure a fair and just process, free from partisan influence.

“The law is the law, and we will not bend nor violate it on the mere desire or ask of partisan and biased individuals or sectors. I will favor no one and will ensure a fair and equitable procedure that will render justice to all concerned,” he stressed.