Swift impeachment trial to reassure investors, says House spokesman

THE IMPEACHMENT trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio should proceed without further delay to reassure investors about the country's political stability, a House of Representatives spokesman said on Tuesday.

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A swift trial would also let senators promptly return to their legislative work, ensuring they can focus on economic policymaking without prolonged disruption, Antonio Audie Z. Bucoy, spokesman for the House prosecution team, told a news briefing.

“As this drags on... people become confused,” he said in Filipino. “And what happens? They get angry, they rally, they protest. For foreign investors, this is not good. What they want is stability.”

Senate President Francis G. Escudero has come under fire from critics who accuse him of delaying Ms. Duterte’s trial. She was impeached by the House as early as Feb. 5.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, last week sent the ouster charges back to the House to certify that it did not violate the Constitution when it impeached the Vice-President. The trial is expected to start in late July under the 20th Congress.

Ms. Duterte’s trial should proceed without delay, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman George T. Barcelon said by telephone.

“We have to settle that to reduce the political background noise because it affects the country’s ability to project that it’s politically stable,” he said.

“Will there be a swift trial?” Mr. Bucoy asked. “It doesn’t look that way. There’s so much foot-dragging on the part of the impeachment court.”

He said delaying the trial would waste the time of senator-judges. “The Senate’s attention is being diverted instead of focusing on passing laws that would benefit the economy.”

Legislation in the Philippines requires approval by a bicameral Congress and the signature of the President.

Senators must prioritize impeachment proceedings over legislative duties until a final judgment is rendered, according to the Senate’s March rulebook.