Senate President Francis Escudero firmly stated on Thursday that no impeachment trial will take place during the congressional recess, which spans from February 6 to June 1, 2025. This announcement came after the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, with the necessary documents being submitted to the Senate Secretariat just before the session ended on February 5, 2025.
During a briefing at the Kapihan sa Senado, Escudero explained that the Senate has not yet been officially informed of any impeachment complaint against Duterte, and no formal discussions have occurred among senators on this topic. He emphasized that the Senate must be in session to convene an impeachment court, referencing past cases like that of Chief Justice Renato Corona, where trials continued during recess but were initiated while the Senate was in session.
Escudero also highlighted the need for the Senate to establish proper order before starting an impeachment trial, dismissing any urgency to proceed immediately. He pointed out that the term ‘forthwith’ in the Constitution does not imply an immediate start, citing the example of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s impeachment, which took nearly two months to begin.
He questioned the pressure on the Senate to act quickly, noting that the House of Representatives took their time and submitted the complaint late in the session. Escudero assured that the Senate would use the recess period to review and update its impeachment rules to enhance efficiency, including improvements in procedures like requiring judicial affidavits and establishing stronger pre-trial rules.
He stressed the importance of verifying the signatures on the impeachment complaint, as they must be handwritten and sworn before the House Secretary General to meet the one-third membership requirement for direct Senate filing. Escudero concluded by affirming that the Senate would approach the impeachment process with impartiality and fairness, adhering strictly to legal standards.