Senate President Francis Escudero on Friday said he would consult fellow senators on whether to hold an all-member caucus regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as proposed by Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel.
“Will consult the others if they want to and if they are available. I, however, disagree with him [Pimentel] that we can start a trial during the recess when we are not in session by simply agreeing among ourselves to do so,” he said.
Escudero said he disagrees with Pimentel and warned that holding an impeachment trial while the Senate is not in session could raise legal questions.
Pimentel earlier suggested that the trial should begin in March, even while Congress is in recess, arguing that the Senate can agree to proceed outside of its regular session.
“This may bring our actions into question before the courts. Prudence, as they say, is the better part of valor,” Escudero reminded lawmakers eager to get the impeachment proceedings immediately underway.
Lawyer Howard Calleja, a critic of Escudero’s handling of the case, accused him of committing a constitutional breach.
Escudero dismissed Calleja’s claim, adding that he will not entertain partisan legal opinions, whether they support or oppose Duterte’s impeachment.
“While I respect Atty. Calleja’s opinion, he does not have a monopoly of all legal knowledge to accuse anyone of anything,” the Senate chief said.
“I will not dignify nor listen to partisan legal opinions or positions for or against the impeachment of VP Sara. I will follow the law and what I believe to be right and fair,” he added.
As this developed, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said Duterte’s move to seek the Supreme Court’s (SC) intervention in stopping her impending impeachment trial is an obvious dilatory tactic.
Zamora, a lawyer and one of the 11 designated prosecutors from the House of Representatives, said she does not doubt though that SC justices “will see through” such ploys.
She expressed confidence the high tribunal will ultimately rule in their favor, which is “to push through with this political exercise,” despite moves by the Duterte camp to derail the impeachment process by seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order to the Senate and the House.
Meanwhile, Deputy Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said Duterte’s move to block an impeachment trial exposes a troubling pattern of attempts to evade transparency and accountability.
“Transparency is fundamental in any democratic government. If Vice President Duterte has done nothing wrong, why is she so afraid of the truth? Blocking the impeachment process through the Supreme Court only raises more doubts,” Acidre said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Escudero to consult fellow senators on holding caucus.”