SENATE READY TO ACT AS IMPEACHMENT COURT

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said the Senate, notwithstanding its very tight schedule, will have to convene as an impeachment court once the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte reach the Senate.

During Kapihan sa Senado media forum on Thursday, December 5, 2024, Escudero noted that there are only eight session days before Christmas break and 26 session days before the end of the 19th Congress.

“I can’t say if there will be time. But whatever work is thrown at the Senate, we will try to fulfill it because it is our duty to hear any case that is brought before us,” the Senate leader said, adding that every impeachment complaint has its own time frame.

He recalled that the impeachment complaint against former Chief Justice Renato Corona was filed in December, 2011 and was closed in May 2012, finding Corona guilty of the articles that were filed against him.

In this case, the impeachment proceedings will continue even during session break “because this is not a session. This is not a congressional session like our session where the House of Representatives also needs to have a session.

The impeachment proceedings are a unique process that is not covered and is outside the ordinary session.” (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)