Solon hits Senate anew for Sara impeach delay

An administration lawmaker criticized the Senate on Wednesday for repeatedly attributing the delay of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to the congressional recess, despite the fact that hearings could still be held during this period.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V argued that if the Senate could conduct hearings and motu proprio inquiries into other issues while Congress is on break, then it has no excuse for putting the impeachment trial on the back burner, considering that it is a matter of national concern.

“If they have time for other issues, even during the recess, why not focus on an issue that has a profound impact on our country?” the La Union solon said. “The Senate has the mandate as the impeachment court, and we expect them to fulfill it without hesitation.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied. An impeachment case that weighs heavily on our democracy must not be ignored,” he added.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on the last session day of Congress on 5 February, with 215 House lawmakers, or more than double the required one-third votes (102 signatories), voting to endorse the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has repeatedly maintained that they will not go forward with the impeachment unless the 20th Congress will take over on 28 July, or after the 12 new senators are sworn in. The trial will subsequently start on 30 June.

Congress, both the House and the Senate, is currently on a four-month break for the mid-term election campaign.

They will resume sessions on 2 June, after the 12 May polls, and convene as an impeachment court a day later.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed hope the Senate will exercise its constitutional duty and proceed with the trial “without unnecessary delays, in accordance with the rule of law.”

The House chief also wished the Senate would conduct “a fair trial based on facts and evidence.”

Nonetheless, he said the House is prepared to work closely with the Senate to ensure a “transparent and credible impeachment trial.”

The House outlined seven impeachable offenses against Duterte, including betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption and other high crimes.

The Senate will need a two-thirds vote or at least 16 senators to convict Duterte. If convicted, she will be perpetually disqualified from holding public office, which would affect her supposed plan to run for president in 2028.