Chiz dismisses allegations of 'no impeach trial' plan

Parrying accusations that he was deliberately delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday said her enemies were the ones making the claims, which have been causing confusion among the people.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Escudero, who has come under public scrutiny for rescheduling the reading of the Articles of Impeachment to June 11 — two days before Congress adjourns sine die — denied criticism that he was complicit in attempts to derail the impeachment process.

"Those who are saying that were opposed to or against Vice President Sara," Escudero said over radio dzMM. He pointed out that a majority of Filipinos are more concerned about seeing their leaders "prioritize pressing national concerns over partisan conflict" than engage in political bickering.

He added that most Filipinos would rather see their lawmakers focus on governance instead of getting mired in politicking.

"It's not right getting fixated with politics from Monday to Friday every week," he added.

Critics and observers have accused Escudero of setting the stage for a failure of Duterte's impeachment trial by limiting the time available for the Senate to conduct a full trial before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 13, and when the terms of lawmakers - including House prosecutors - expire on June 30.

Based on the new timeline set by Escudero, senators would be squeezing in on June 11 the reading of the Articles of Impeachment, oathtaking of senator-judges and the issuing of the summons against Duterte - if the Senate plenary votes to convene as an impeachment court on the same day.

Under impeachment rules, Duterte would be given 10 days to respond to the summons. If the Senate issues summons on June 11, Duterte has until June 21 to respond.

However, this leaves the House prosecutors with more or less nine days before their authority expires.

After June 30, Escudero said there would no longer be a pre-trial because of the expiration of terms.

When asked if his statements against Duterte's critics indicated an aversion to the impeachment process, Escudero reiterated that due process would be followed but within appropriate boundaries.