Senate President Francis Escudero has emphasized that the impeachment process is a fundamental part of the constitutional framework designed to ensure accountability among public officials. In a recent statement to ABS-CBN News Channel, Escudero encouraged both the public and fellow lawmakers to view impeachment not as a threat but as a necessary tool for governance.
Escudero’s comments come in the wake of the House of Representatives’ decision to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, with over 200 members endorsing the complaints. The documents were officially sent to the Senate Secretariat on the final day of the congressional session, February 5. The Senate is set to reconvene after their break on June 2.
Addressing the possibility of a special session to address Duterte’s impeachment, Escudero clarified that the Constitution specifies only certain situations that warrant such a session. These include urgent legislative matters, the election of a new Vice President due to removal or incapacity, handling a President’s incapacity, canvassing election results, or during a martial law declaration. He pointed out that the Constitution does not mention impeachment as a reason for a special session, thus dismissing any suggestions that Duterte’s case should be treated differently.
Escudero stressed that any decision to call a special session would need to be made in consultation with the majority and minority leaders and with the approval of the House Speaker. However, he insisted that the impeachment process should adhere strictly to established rules and precedents without any special considerations.
The Senate President also highlighted the significant impact an impeachment trial can have on the careers of senators, noting that some have benefited from the exposure while others have suffered politically due to their performance during the trial. He reminded senators, who act as judges in such trials, of their duty to deliver justice based solely on the evidence presented, regardless of public sentiment.
“Our role is not to decide guilt or innocence but to ensure justice is served according to the evidence. Some may be satisfied with the outcome, others may not, but our duty is to follow the evidence wherever it leads,” Escudero concluded.