Supreme Court Demands Senate Response on Impeachment Action Against Vice President

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Senate, requiring a response to a legal petition urging the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The order came after Catalino Generillo Jr., who previously served as a special counsel for the Presidential Commission on Good Government, filed a mandamus petition. This legal action seeks to compel the Senate to promptly form an impeachment court to address the charges against the Vice President. The Supreme Court has set a strict 10-day deadline for the Senate’s response, with no extensions allowed. Generillo argues that the Constitution mandates the Senate to act without delay, even during recess periods. The impeachment articles were sent to the Senate on February 5, but with Congress adjourning on February 8 and not resuming until June 2-13, followed by another break until July 27, the process has been stalled. Senate President Francis Escudero has indicated that the Senate might only convene as an impeachment court after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address in July, and noted that no trial would occur during the congressional recess due to senators’ involvement in reelection campaigns.