Pimentel open to lead drafting of impeachment rules

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III expressed his willingness to lead the drafting of impeachment rules for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte through a special subcommittee, as recommended by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Pimentel said he could take on the task of spearheading a subcommittee on drafting Senate impeachment rules, since there are only five lawyers in the Senate.

"There is no problem. We are only five lawyers in the Senate today, so there may be no other choice," he said in a message in Filipino to Senate reporters.

Pimentel, however, noted that he would wait to be officially assigned to do so before proceeding.

"I will wait for an official assignment. Then I will discuss with my staff," he said.

Pimentel — on his second and last term as senator and now running for a congressional seat in Marikina — said, "Just like Senator Tol, I am also a candidate, but I am willing to devote time to our duty."

Tolentino, who chairs the Senate committee on rules, earlier suggested that Pimentel could take the lead in drafting the impeachment trial procedures under a special subcommittee.

The House of Representatives transmitted the impeachment complaints against the Vice President to the Senate on Feb. 5, two hours before Congress went on recess to pave the way for the midterm elections.