Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday maintained that all matters related to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should be taken up only after an impeachment court has officially been convened.

In a news forum in Manila, Escudero dismissed the motion of the House of Representatives prosecution team seeking the issuance of a summons to Duterte requiring her to answer the Articles of Impeachment filed against her.

He emphasized that such a process would be legally impossible while the Senate is still on a break.

“It cannot legally be done. It is not possible because the Senate is not in session,” Escudero said in Filipino.

He stressed that the procedure should only take place after the impeachment court has convened and the articles of impeachment have been formally presented in the Senate plenary.

“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 explained.

Escudero pointed out the House prosecutors themselves recognize they cannot issue a summons immediately, as they must follow the proper procedure outlined in the rules.

He noted that this process includes the presentation of the impeachment articles and the formal commencement of court proceedings.

Escudero acknowledged the House’s right to file such a motion but the Senate can only act on it when the chamber is in session.

“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 have already entered their appearance before the Senate in connection to the impeachment complaint,” he said.

Escudero added that he would follow legal procedures and would only take action within the boundaries of the law.

“Even if you convince me, it’s 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. I will not emanate for me, for sure,” he said.