Jinggoy Estrada's suspension includes role as impeachment senator-judge, Gatchalian says

The 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the Sandiganbayan against Senator Jinggoy Estrada would include his role as a senator-judge for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

"From what I understand, kapag suspended ka as a senator, kasama na rin ang being a senator- judge," Gatchalian told reporters on Thursday.

(If you are suspended as a senator, it includes being a senator- judge.)

"The suspension is to the senator and it carries with all their responsibility as a senator including being a senator-judge," he said.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension order against Estrada due to a pending graft charge against him over his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.

Gatchalian said the suspension may affect the quorum but maintained the number of votes for Duterte's impeachment will remain 2/3 of the Senate or 16 senators.

"Malinaw ang Constitution, 2/3 of all members, that's 16. In my opinion, we have to follow the Constitution," he added.

(The Constitution is clear, the vote was 2/3 and that's 16. In my opinion, we have to follow the Constitution.)

Gatchalian, meanwhile, says senators have yet to discuss if they will elect a presiding officer for the trial.

Duterte is facing impeachment charges over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. In May, she was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time.

On May 18, the Senate convened as an impeachment court.

On June 1, Duterte's camp filed their answer on the Articles of Impeachment, asking the court to junk the impeachment case against her.

The pre-trial conference for Duterte's impeachment trial formally commenced on Thursday, June 18. —VAL, GMA News