MANILA – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will begin after the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in July.
Senate President Francis Escudero said the impeachment proceedings will most likely began when the new Congress already enters into its functions after SONA.
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions — that means after SONA. SONA, I think, is on July 21. So the trial will commence after that day,” Escudero said.
The Senate Secretariat received documents of Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment from the House of Representatives, signed by its more than 200 members, on Feb. 5, Congress’ last day of session before the midterm elections on May 12.
Escudero, however, said he has asked his colleagues to study the articles of impeachment since copies were distributed to them last week.
The Senate President also clarified he has no plans to call for a special session as suggested by some sectors, saying the one who filed must request the President for this.
“I have no intention of requesting the President (for) a special session. Hindi ito isa sa mga bagay o dahilan para magpatawag ng special session ang Senado,” Escudero said.
“Sino bang may gusto na mag special session at mag-trial kami bago mag eleksyon? Yung pro. Sino mang-pro or anti-VP Sara hindi namin papakinggan. Susundin namin ang itinatalaga ng batas,” he added.
Escudero said the 1987 Constitution is specific as to when Congress can hold special sessions — when there is urgent legislation that needs to be tackled, when Congress must vote for a new vice president in case the latter is removed or is incapacitated, if the president becomes incapacitated by a majority vote of the Cabinet, to canvass and proclaim the president and vice president in an election, and when martial law is declared and the writ of habeas corpus is suspended./PN
