ILOILO City – Despite Senate President Francis Escudero’s statement that no impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio would take place during the congressional break, Iloilo 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor remains hopeful that the Senate will begin the impeachment trial as soon as possible.
Defensor is one of the 11 congressmen assigned as House prosecutors in the impeachment trial.
Escudero was asked whether the impeachment trial could proceed while Congress is adjourned, to which the Senate leader responded negatively, stating that the trial could not legally take place during the break.
He explained that the impeachment court had not been convened, and the impeachment complaint had not yet been referred to the plenary, which is necessary for the Senate to act as an impeachment court.
Escudero indicated that the earliest the Articles of Impeachment could be addressed would be on June 2, when the Senate resumes its sessions.
Defensor said the impeachment complaints had already been transmitted to the Senate, and according to the Constitution, once the complaint is received by the Secretary General of the Senate, “the trial should proceed forthwith.”
“We interpret ‘forthwith’ to mean as soon as possible,” Defensor said.
However, he emphasized the respect for the Senate’s independence and noted that the Senate would decide how to proceed with the trial.
“We will leave that to their interpretation,” Defensor added, highlighting the importance of impartiality from both the prosecution and defense during the trial.
Defensor also said, “This is the perfect opportunity for all parties, especially the Vice President, to be given due process, to lay down the evidence in her favor, and to clarify things during the trial.”
Responding to questions about the scenario if the trial were to resume on June 2, Defensor said that it would be up to the Senate to interpret how the impeachment process would unfold. He clarified that the adjournment of the legislative session should not impact the impeachment process, which is a separate procedure.
Defensor also acknowledged Senate President Escudero’s earlier remarks that the Senate would need to prepare for the trial. “We leave it to the Senate as an impartial body to decide how to proceed.”/PN
