Senators downplay signature drive to begin Duterte trial

Metro Manila, Philippines - As a group gathers signatures to urge the Senate to begin the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, some senators stood firm against violating rules just to convene the impeachment court.

“No amount of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it by convening the impeachment court during recess and without complying with the requisite conditions precedent,” Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a statement on Wednesday, March 5.

“The law is not bendable and should not bow to anyone’s dictate simply because of their own desire, bias and timetable of wanting to rush the impeachment proceedings vs. VP Sara,” the Senate leader added.

Senator Win Gatchalian shared the same stance in a press conference.

“There should be a session and in that session, the Articles of Impeachment will be read on the floor,” Gatchalian said, noting that only then can the impeachment court be convened.

He backed Escudero’s proposed timeline, which sets the Senate to adopt the impeachment rules when session resumes on June 2, convene as an impeachment court the following day, and formally open the trial on July 30.

He said he conveyed his support to Escudero after reviewing past impeachment proceedings, all of which began with the reading of the Articles of Impeachment in plenary.

Gatchalian said the issue with the current impeachment process is that the Articles of Impeachment were submitted just hours before the Senate adjourned session.

The People’s Impeachment Movement, led by religious groups, recently launched a signature campaign to demonstrate what they call public demand for the immediate trial of Duterte.