VP Sara impeachment trial to start after SONA — Escudero

The trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may start after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s announcement through a press conference on Monday.

“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions. Sona, I think it is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” Escudero told reporters.

He mentioned that the senators ‘have a lot of work to do’ before they can start to convene as an impeachment court.

“Ang unang-unang gagawin pagkatapos ng rules, magpapadala ng summons ang nasasakdal,” the lawmaker explained the process of impeachment to the media.

Escudero added that the accused has 10 days to answer the summon order if the latter does not ask for an extension.

“Pagkatapos nun, 10 araw din para magsumite ng reply. Baka humingi ng extension, pagkatapos nun baka humingi ang nasasakdal na magsumite ng rejoinder. Karapatan niya yun,” the senate president clarified further.

When asked if he would request a special session to the President Marcos, Escudero stated that he has no intention of doing so.

“Dagdag pa rito, sino pa ang may gusto na mag special session kami at mag trial kami bago mag election? Sino ba ang humihiling nun? Sino? Hindi, sino nga? Yung pro. Sabi ko na, sinumang pro or anti VP Sara hindi namin papakinggan,” he argued.

Duterte’s impeachment is ‘not a special case’ according to Escudero as he considers it as an ordinary impeachment case made by an impeachable officer.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte last Feb. 5 with 215 signatures supporting a fourth complaint against the vice president with 25 signatures being added later for the articles of impeachment.

She is the first vice president to be impeached by the lower chamber.

According to the 1987 Constitution, the Senate is due to rule on whether to remove her from office. If convicted in the Senate trial, Duterte would be barred from running for future public office.

This could only be avoided if she would step down from her position as vice president.

The Senate adjourned its session until June 2 without tackling her impeachment complaints.