Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed differing views Monday on the Senate’s decision to postpone the start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the move continued to draw the scrutiny of House prosecutors.

In an interview Monday, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III questioned the delay of the trial originally set to begin on 2 June.

“We’ve already waited four months. Then 2 June came and it was deferred — delayed again by eight days,” Pimentel said.

Citing the Constitution, Pimentel emphasized that once the House transmits the articles of impeachment to the Senate, the latter must convene and proceed with the trial immediately.

“What’s written there is that once the House of Representatives has filed the articles of impeachment with the Senate, it becomes the Senate’s duty and obligation to conduct the trial. ‘The trial shall forthwith proceed,’” he quoted from the Charter.

The senator warned that further postponements could undermine the Constitution, noting that the impeachment process must begin in the 19th Congress.

“We’re still in the 19th Congress, so why are we already worrying about the 20th Congress? Why would we defer, cancel, or postpone just because we’re guessing what the senators in the 20th Congress might do?” he said.

JV unbothered

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito defended Senate President Chiz Escudero’s decision to postpone the formal reading of the impeachment articles to 11 June.

“SP Escudero consulted us…it was his decision. I don’t think we should rush it,” Ejercito said in a separate radio interview. He added that priority legislation needed to be passed before Congress adjourned.

Ejercito noted that the Senate impeachment court could only officially convene during the 20th Congress in July, suggesting that the delay would not impact the overall timeline of the proceedings.

“The proper start of the impeachment trial, the convening as an impeachment court, will be in July,” he added.

Their comments followed sharp criticism from Iloilo Representative Lorenz Defensor, a member of the House prosecution panel, who on Sunday called the delay “a disservice to the Filipino people.”

“The sooner we start and finish the impeachment trial, the better for our country and the Vice President,” Defensor said, insisting that the trial must begin as soon as the articles are transmitted, regardless of the Senate calendar.