Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña called out Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on the continual delay in convening the Senate as an impeachment court.
“Natatakot ba siya kay [Vice President] Sara Duterte?” the representative questioned in a Facebook statement.
The lawmaker pointed out how the Senate’s inaction “risks being seen as a betrayal of its constitutional mandate and a deliberate attempt to shield the Vice President from accountability.”
He also likened Escudero’s “dismissive attitude” to that of a “passing fashion trend,” emphasizing that convening the Senate as an impeachment court is a constitutional duty.
“Convening the Senate as an impeachment court is a solemn constitutional duty, not a seasonal accessory you put on or discard depending on the political weather, or one’s personal agenda,” Cendaña pointed out. “It is a uniform of duty worn whenever the Constitution demands it.”
In the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, nearly nine in ten Filipinos answered that they want VP Duterte to respond directly to the impeachment charges and clear her name of corruption charges. The statement discussed that the polls showed 68% of respondents believe the latter should “definitely face the charges.”
Meanwhile, another 20% said she “probably should,” and only seven percent believe Duterte should avoid the issue altogether.
“The public wants a trial. Even the impeached Vice President herself has signaled a willingness to face one. What’s stopping the Senate? Natatakot ba ang liderato kay Sara?” the lawmaker questioned.
“The people demand transparency. Tama na po ang pateka-teka. Panahon na para magtrabaho,” he added.
Escudero earlier stated that the impeachment complaint from the 19th Congress cannot be carried over to the 20th. However, the Akbayan Partylist dismissed the claim and described it as “pure legal fiction.”
They argued that this had no basis in the Constitution, jurisprudence, and the Senate’s rules.
“The impeachment process is a constitutional mandate, not a legislative bill that expires at the stroke of midnight. Once the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment, the Senate is constitutionally bound to convene as an impeachment court—no ifs, no buts. The delay, and now the flimsy excuses, only add insult to institutional injury,” Cendaña emphasized.
“Every day of delay sends the message that the Senate leadership is either afraid of Vice President Duterte, or worse, actively protecting her,” his statement ended.
