Senate President “Chiz” Escudero rejected the House prosecution panel’s request to issue a writ of summons to compel Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte to respond to the Articles of Impeachment.
Escudero announced the decision during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, March 26. According to the report by RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas, it cannot be legally done as the Senate is on its session break. He underscored the importance of following the rules and highlighted that VP Duterte’s camp has the right to question the panel on her impeachment case.
“Pagka may sesyon ang Senado, doon lamang pwedeng mag-presenta sila ng Articles of Impeachment, at doon lamang din pwedeng i-convene ang impeachment court sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumpa ng mga miyembro ng Senado,” Escudero explained.
“That can only be done when Congress is in session. Hindi ‘yan pwedeng gawin habang recess at klaro ang pagkakaiba nnung dalawang ‘yon sa pag coconduct ng hearing ng Senado,” he added.
Escudero will be sending a formal letter to the House prosecution panel concerning the request.
A Different Stance
Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro stood firm in the House prosecution panel’s request to issue a writ of summons to VP Duterte.
The report by RH 12 Milky Rigonan mentioned that the lawmaker emphasized the Senate rules on “forthwith,” or the House’s immediate submission of the Articles of Impeachment against VP Duterte in February.
The lawmaker maintained that the Senate should take action on their request to issue a writ of summons.
Due to the differing stance between the Senate and Congress, they expect that it would be resolved in the upcoming Supreme Court ruling.
The House of Representatives’ panel of prosecutors filed an “Entry with Motion to Issue Summons” addressed to Escudero on Tuesday.
“Ayon po sa rules ng impeachment ng Senado, pag mayroong nai-file sa Senado na impeachment complaint, the Senate shall start the proceedings forthwith,” House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan stressed.
