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Escudero: Still no reso filed yet to dismiss Sara Duterte’s impeach case

By GISELLE OMBAY, GMA Integrated News

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday morning said that no resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte has been filed yet.

At a press conference, Escudero explained that the Senate could not act on anything that has not yet been formally filed. 

“I refuse to discuss a piece of paper that has not been filed,” the Senate president said. 

Last Wednesday, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa admitted that he was behind one of the draft Senate resolutions seeking to dismiss Duterte’s impeachment case. 

Dela Rosa said that he would still evaluate if he would file his own version of the resolution, noting that some senators have also made their own drafts, which may all be incorporated into one. 

The document which has been circulating on social media is allegedly seeking the declaration of Duterte's impeachment case as "de facto" dismissed "by operation of the 1987 Constitution."

Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla admitted Monday that he has his own draft version of the resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Duterte.

Padilla, however, said that he has not yet filed the resolution.

“Wala pa…Siyempre [magpa-file ako], inaantay ko pa siya (Imee),” Padilla said in an ambush interview, referring to Senator Imee Marcos.

(I haven’t filed it yet. But I’m planning to do so, I’m just waiting for Imee.) 

Padilla also said that he did not consult Duterte regarding the matter. 

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint against her. She was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

‘No rush’

Escudero also answered calls of several universities, groups, and individuals for the immediate start of the impeachment trial of Duterte, maintaining that the Senate will fulfill its Constitutional duty but not based on the timeline of others. 

“Sino mang pabor sa impeachment o kontra sa impeachment, sinumang pabor kay VP Sara o kontra sa kanya, hindi ko papakinggan. Gagawin ko kung ano ang tama, nararapat, at ayon sa Konstitusyon at batas ayon sa aming tingin. Kung ano ang tama,” he said. 

(I will not listen to anyone who is in favor or against the impeachment, anyone who is in favor of or against VP Sara. I will do what is right, appropriate, and according to the Constitution and the law as we see it. I will do what is right.) 

“Hindi porke't pabor sila sa impeachment at ayaw nila kay VP Sara at gusto nilang matanggal si VP Sara eh mamadaliin na namin at susundin namin sila. Sa kabilang banda, ‘yung mga ayaw naman hindi rin naman namin papatagalin ang proseso,” he added. 

(We will not listen to them and rush the impeachment just because they are in favor of the impeachment and want to remove VP Sara from office. On the other hand, we will not prolong the process for those who are against the impeachment trial.) 

Escudero also emphasized that the impeachment court has to decide as to how long the trial would last. 

This was in response to the proposed schedule released by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino over the weekend regarding the impeachment proceedings. Tolentino had said it is possible to finish the impeachment trial in 19 days, until June 30. 

“Bagay ‘yan na dapat pagpasyahan ng impeachment court at hindi ng Senado at hindi ako o siya. Mapag-uusapan lang ‘yan ‘pagka na-convene na ang impeachment court dahil desisyon ng impeachment court ‘yan,” Escudero answered. 

(That is something that should be decided by the impeachment court, not by the Senate, not by me or him. That can only be discussed once the impeachment court has convened because that is the decision of the impeachment court,"

“Paano ba at bakit ba naging objective na paikliin, pabilisin ang trial? Hindi ba dapat protektahan natin ang karapatan ng magkabilang panig—ang nasasakdal at ang prosekusyon, na mabiyan sila ng sapat na panahon na i-presenta ang kaso nila upang sa gayon may basehan ang pagpapasya ng mga senator-judges pagdating ng panahon,” he added. 

(How and why shortening or speeding up the trial became the objective? Shouldn't we protect the right of both parties—the defense and the prosecution, and give them enough time to present their case so that the decision of the senator-judges will be based on that when the time comes?) 

To recall, the reading of impeachment raps against Duterte was moved from June 2 to June 11.

Escudero had said this would allow Congress to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 14.

The Senate President, however, explained that the impeachment court may convene earlier or later than June 11 if there will be a motion in the plenary. 

“Kung may magmo-mosyon, pagbobotohan ‘yun para italaga sa ibang araw ‘yan. Either mas maaga o mas late. Pero sa ngayon, wala namang humihiling no’n,” he said. 

(If someone makes a motion, it will be voted upon and will be moved to another day, either earlier or later. But right now, no one has made a motion.) 

Right after Escudero’s press conference, Senator Risa Hontiveros announced that the Senate’s minority bloc will formally move during the plenary session this afternoon to start the opening rites in the impeachment trial of Duterte. 

Hontiveros said that she and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will move to allow Escudero to take his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, and to administer the prescribed oath to all members of the Senate as judges of the impeachment court.

She said the minority bloc will also move for the Senate to convene as an impeachment court, and for the Articles of Impeachment to be formally presented to the body.—AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

Tags: Sara Duterte, impeachment trial, sara duterte impeachment, Francis Chiz Escudero
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