Senate President Francis”Chiz” Escudero yesterday dismissed speculations that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would affect the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I see no connection between the two and there is no reason to delay whatever the Senate should do in relation to our work here and whatever is happening in The Hague,” Escudero said in a briefing at the Senate.
The Senate is scheduled to handle the impeachment case vs. the Vice President a day after the resumption of its session on June 2.
“There is no law that we will postpone the impeachment because there is an ICC-related factor. There is no law that says we will postpone the impeachment because there is a protest action. There is no such basis to change any desire or direction of the schedule that we want to take right now,” the Senate President explained.
Escudero also said the impeachment case will not be delayed or affected by the arrest of Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa.
“I see no reason for the proceedings to be delayed. At least he won’t be late,” said Escudero, referring to dela Rosa in case he decides to seek sanctuary at the Senate premises.
Escudero has also said dela Rosa cannot be arrested in the Senate’s premises.
The Senate chief also confirmed that the impeachment timetable remains the same as previously proposed, emphasizing that it will only be finalized when the Senate resumes session.
The Senate President earlier announced that they are set to convene as an Impeachment Court on June 3 with senator judges taking their oaths of office.