Pimentel seeks impeachment trial in March

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III wants the impeachment court to begin the trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte in March, rather than the July timeline planned by the leadership.

Pimentel has been vocal in urging the Senate leadership to fulfill its constitutional mandate to act promptly on the Articles of Impeachment.

During the Kapihan sa Senado media forum on Thursday, Feb. 20, the lawyer-lawmaker was asked when he believes the impeachment trial should begin.

“Sana March. March na (Hopefully, it happens in March),” Pimentel said.

“When I use the word trial lang medyo generic yung paggamit ko ng trial. Ibig sabihin, the entire process. Hindi pa siguro mauupo yung witness sa witness stand, basta nag-umpisa na yung trial in the sense na pasagutin mo na si impeached official tapos iparespond mo si prosecutors,” Pimentel explained.

[Translation: When I use the word “trial,” it's a bit generic in my usage. It means the entire process. Maybe the witness won't be seated on the witness stand yet, but the trial has started in the sense that you begin questioning the impeached official and then have the prosecutors respond.]

In an earlier press conference the day before, Escudero maintained that the Senate cannot convene as an impeachment court while Congress is on a session break.

However, Pimentel argued that the rules of impeachment do not have this requirement.

Pimentel said he will speak with Escudero as soon as possible and propose the convening of a caucus to resolve differing views on the impeachment process.

He said he aims to convince his colleagues that Escudero can call for a special session in March. Pimentel said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not need to call for a special session of Congress as the House of Representatives does not need to convene for the trial.

“Caucus muna, then pakinggan nila ko. Ngayon kung talagang ayaw nila, aminin namin sa taumbayan na ayaw nila,” Pimentel said.

[Translation: Let's have a caucus first, then they will listen to me. Now, if they really don't want to, we will admit to the public that they don't want to.]

Pimentel noted that the impeachment court is ready to convene in March, as Escudero has already ordered a review of the rules and made logistical preparations, such as arranging the witness stand and tables to be used in the session hall.