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ESCUDERO: NO SPECIAL SESSION FOR VP SARA’S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

admin February 9, 2025

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Saturday said there would be no special session to try the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte while Congress is in recess.

The Senate leader said calling a special session to convene the Senate as an impeachment court during a recess is unconstitutional.

Congress is currently on a session break.

Escudero said under the law, a special session may be called if the President declared Martial Law, appointed a new Vice President to assume the presidency in the event of the sitting President’s death or inability to perform his duties, or when discussing or acting on a pending bill.

“Sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas, puwedeng magpatawag ang Pangulo sa anumang oras. Sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas puwede magpatawag ang Speaker at Senate president ng special session para magpasa ng mahahalagang panukalang batas,” Escudero told a radio interview.

“Automatic na mag-co-convene ang Senate at ang House kapagka nagdeklara ng Martial Law ang Pangulo, kapagka bumoto ang mayorya ng Gabinete na hindi na po kayang gampanan ng Pangulo ang kaniyang tungkulin, kapagka natanggal ang Vice President o ang Pangulo at naging Pangulo ang Vice President kung saan kailangan pumili ng ikalawang pangulo. ‘Yon lamang ang mga pagkakataong automatic na mag-co-convene ang Senado at ang Kamara,” he explained.

“Gagawin namin ‘yong tamang dapat naming gawin ng hindi ito minamadali pero hindi rin labis na pinagpapaliban. Ulitin ko hindi ko papakinggan ‘yong mga afritadong gusto mong magsimula ang trial dahil galit sila kay VP Sara dahil gusto siyang ma-impeach. Hindi ko rin papakinggan ‘yong ayaw mag-trial dahil pabor sila kay VP Sara at ayaw nilang ma-impeach siya. Partesanong mga grupo at tao ‘yan na hindi dapat pinapansin kaugnay sa paggawad namin ng hustisya sa trabaho namin bilang impeachment court,” the Senate leader said.

Escudero stressed his position on Duterte’s impeachment trial while attending the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Worldwide Vision Casting 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday.

He reiterated the Senate will handle the impeachment case against the Vice President in accordance with due process and without rushing the proceedings.

The articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate last February 5, the same day that the House of Representatives impeached Duterte.

The impeachment complaint approved by lawmakers cited “six major allegations” against the Vice President. They are 1. Conspiracy to Assassinate President Marcos, First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez. 2. Malversation of P612.5 Million in Confidential Fund. 3. Bribery and Corruption in DepEd.4. Unexplained Wealth and Failure to Disclose Assets 5. Involvement in Extrajudicial Killings (Davao Death Squad) and 6. Destabilization, Insurrection, and Public Disorder

At least 215 lawmakers initially signed the complaint, with 25 more added to the list.