Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero intends to suggest to the impeachment court that there is no need to amend the existing rules for Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Escudero cautioned that amending the impeachment rules might give the impression that the Senate is “changing the rules in the middle of the game.”
However, he clarified that it is merely a proposal, which will still be subject to the Senate’s approval once it convenes as an impeachment court to hear the case against Duterte.
Escudero mentioned that they have received numerous proposals—not only from legal teams, but also from various senators during the recent recess, particularly from those who are not seeking re-election.
"Pero ang direksyon na personal kong tinatahak sa ngayon ay i-suggest sa impeachment court na huwag nang baguhin ang rules," said Escudero.
"Dahil baka maakusahan pa ang Senado at ang institusyon ng Senado na we are changing the rules in the middle of the game, to favor one side or the other," he firmly added.
He further stated that if any changes to the rules are proposed, he will recommend that they take effect only in future impeachment cases—not in Duterte’s case.
"'Yung existing rules pa rin [ang gagamitin sa impeachment trial ni VP Sara]. Ang pagkakaiba lamang ay nakalagay kasi sa existing rules that the rules of court shall be suppletory applicable, nagbago na ang rules of court mula noong panahon ni late Chief Justice Corona at ngayon," Escudero explained.
In February, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for high crimes, citing an alleged plot to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the supposed misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as head of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court on July 30 to begin the trial of the Vice President. A two-thirds majority vote will be needed for conviction, requiring Duterte to obtain at least nine votes to retain her post.
