Supreme Court Directs Senate to Respond to Impeachment Petition Against Vice President

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Senate, requiring a response to a petition that seeks to compel action on the impeachment complaints lodged against Vice President Sara Duterte. The order was issued on Tuesday, following a petition filed by Catalino Generillo Jr., who previously served as a special counsel for the Presidential Commission on Good Government. Generillo’s petition for mandamus requests that the Supreme Court order 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, starting from the receipt of the notice. Generillo argues in his petition that the Constitution does not permit the Senate to delay the formation of an impeachment court during its recess period. The impeachment articles were sent to the Senate on February 5. Congress concluded its session on February 8 and is scheduled to reconvene from June 2 to 13, before adjourning sine die on June 14 until July 27. Senate President Francis Escudero has indicated that the Senate might only form an impeachment court after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address in July. He also mentioned that no impeachment trial would occur during the congressional recess, as seven senators are currently campaigning for reelection.