Fate of VP Sara's impeachment trial lies in Senate plenary - Chiz

Senate President Francis Escudero clarified on Monday, June 2, that while the reading of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte is set fdor June 11, it is still the decision of the Senate in plenary whether or not the Upper Chamber will formally convene as an impeachment court.

- By DHEL NAZARIO

In a press conference, Escudero said he initially set June 11 for the reading of the Articles of Impeachment in line with Senate impeachment rules, which give the Senate President the authority to schedule such matters.

However, he stressed that the Senate plenary remains the final authority, and it may vote to uphold, modify, or reject that date.

"In the natural course, yes, 'yon ang dapat mangyari (that is what should happen)," Escudero said when asked if he personally believes the Senate should convene as an impeachment court.

"Unless, as I have said, may mag-motion, may mag-object, mag-botohan (someone moves to object, and it gets voted on).

In the end, the plenary will decide," he added.

Escudero also emphasized that despite President Marcos' earlier public statements expressing disinterest in pursuing Duterte's impeachment, the President has not issued any directive to influence the Senate's actions on the matter.

"No directive was issued by the President regarding that," Escudero said.

He added that the Senate's current schedule was based on the priority legislative agenda discussed during the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) meeting, and not on any presidential intervention.

Plenary power Escudero reiterated that no single senator-not even the Senate president-can dictate the outcome of the Senate's actions regarding impeachment. He cited precedents in the impeachment cases of former President Joseph Estrada and former Chief Justice Renato Corona, where the Senate adjusted the convening of the impeachment court based on collective decisions.