The House of Representatives' prosecution team in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte expressed dismay after the Senate postponed the scheduled reading of the Articles of Impeachment.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero earlier decided to move the reading from June 2 to June 11, citing the need to "to allow the Senate to tackle priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns."
According to Third District Iloilo Representative Lorenz Defensor, this will be a loss for Filipinos to witness earlier the presentation of evidence over the Vice President's impeachment as well as her defense team.
"Dismayado ang prosecution team, lalo na't kawalan ito sa taumbayan na mapaaga ang pagpresenta ng ebidensya ang prosekyusyon at ang defense team mismo. The sooner that we can start our impeachment trial, the better for our country para may closure ang ating taumbayan at ang ating Bise Presidente," said Defensor during an interview on DZRH's Isyung Pambayan.
Senators are scheduled to to take their oath on June 3 to become Senator Judges before the impeachment court formally convenes. However, moving the scheduled reading to June 11, Defensor assumes it will take longer to start the impeachment process as the next day will be a holiday.
Citing Escudero's calendar, Defensor said that the formal trial of the impeachment will be on July 30.
Defensor emphasized the importance of the said impeachment trial.
"Tama naman na tapusin natin ang ating mga legislative matters lalo na yung ating mga priority bills, ngunit sana maintindihan ng ating mga Senador na ang impeachment ay ang pinaka-importante na uri ng paglilitis sa ating bansa," the Congressman said.
Escudero conveyed the postponement to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in a letter transmitted on May 29. A copy of the letter was also sent to the office of Vice President Duterte.
In the letter, the Senate President explained that Congress aims to pass at least 12 important laws before the 19th Congress ends.
He added that these bills were identified as priorities during the recent meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, which included leaders of Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"With only six session days before the sine die adjournment, it is imperative for the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of these measures, consistent also with the administration's thrust to align our government with the people's needs and expectations," Escudero said.
