Chiz: Senate 'cannot legally' summon VP Sara during break

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday maintained that all actions related to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte must wait until the impeachment court has officially convened.

Speaking at a news forum in Manila, Escudero dismissed the House of Representatives prosecution team’s motion to summon Duterte to respond to the Articles of Impeachment, saying such a move is legally impossible while the Senate is on recess.

“It cannot legally be done. Hindi po siya pupwede dahil walang sesyon ang Senado (It is not possible because the Senate is not in session),” Escudero said.

He emphasized that the procedure should only begin once the impeachment court is convened and the articles are formally presented in the Senate plenary.

“Na-present na ba nila ‘yung articles of impeachment on plenary? Na-convene na ba yung court? Eh hindi pa naman eh. Edi hindi pa rin puwede 'yung ganoon (Have they presented the articles of impeachment in the plenary? Has the court been convened? Well, it hasn’t happened yet. So that still can't be done),” he added.

Escudero pointed out that even the House prosecutors acknowledge that the summons cannot be issued yet, as specific procedures must be followed.

He said the process includes presenting the articles in plenary and formally starting court proceedings.

The Senate President added that while the House may file motions, the Senate cannot act on them outside a session.

“Hindi ko sasabihin na waste of time, parang calisthenics nga, baka exercise-exercise lang para pagdating ng June 2 medyo na-burn at nakapag-stretching na sila (I won’t say it’s a waste of time; it’s like calisthenics, maybe just some exercise so that by 2 June, they’re a bit more prepared and stretched out). But at least they already entered their appearance before the Senate in connection to the impeachment complaint,” he said.

Escudero reiterated that he will only act within legal boundaries.

“Kahit naman makumbinsi mo ako, illegal pa rin 'yun e, so hindi ko gagawin (Even if you convince me, it is still illegal, so I won’t do it). I will not do anything that is illegal. Unless a special session is called — which I doubt — it will not emanate from me for sure,” he said.