2025 polls, end of 19th Congress complicate hypothetical impeachment — Escudero | ABS-CBN
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2025 polls, end of 19th Congress complicate hypothetical impeachment — Escudero
MANILA — The approaching 2025 elections and the congressional calendar are added complications for the Senate if the House endorses an impeachment complaint for trial, Senate President Francis Escudero told the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.
MANILA — The approaching 2025 elections and the congressional calendar are added complications for the Senate if the House endorses an impeachment complaint for trial, Senate President Francis Escudero told the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.
He said the midterm polls would make the impeachment an election issue as it was in 2003 during attempts to impeach then-Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
He said the midterm polls would make the impeachment an election issue as it was in 2003 during attempts to impeach then-Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
"Nagkalinyahan ang simbahan nung panahong yun, kumampi kay Chief Justice Davide. Inaaway kami ng mga bishop namin patungo sa isang halalan," Escudero, who was a member of the House at the time, said.
"Nagkalinyahan ang simbahan nung panahong yun, kumampi kay Chief Justice Davide. Inaaway kami ng mga bishop namin patungo sa isang halalan," Escudero, who was a member of the House at the time, said.
(The Church drew a line back then, they supported Chief Justice Davide. Our bishops were speaking against us going into an election)
(The Church drew a line back then, they supported Chief Justice Davide. Our bishops were speaking against us going into an election)
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The polls in 2025 also mean that the 19th Congress only has six session days before adjourning for Christmas, and 24 session days before ending its term.
The polls in 2025 also mean that the 19th Congress only has six session days before adjourning for Christmas, and 24 session days before ending its term.
Under the calendar, Congress adjourns for Christmas from December 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025. It will be back from January 13, 2025 to February 7, 2025, before going on another break for the election campaign from February 8, 2025 to June 1, 2025.
Under the calendar, Congress adjourns for Christmas from December 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025. It will be back from January 13, 2025 to February 7, 2025, before going on another break for the election campaign from February 8, 2025 to June 1, 2025.
It will have its final session from June 2, 2025 to June 13, 2025.
It will have its final session from June 2, 2025 to June 13, 2025.
IMPEACHMENT DURING A NEW CONGRESS?
"Dapat tingnan at pag-aralan at suriin din kapag ito ay inabutan sa anumang stage, hindi pa nare-refer sa amin o na-refer na sa amin ng pagpasok ng 20th Congress, tanong ang bibitawan ko katulad ba ito ng ibang bill na kailangang magsimula ulit?" he said, adding the question will likely be brought to court.
"Dapat tingnan at pag-aralan at suriin din kapag ito ay inabutan sa anumang stage, hindi pa nare-refer sa amin o na-refer na sa amin ng pagpasok ng 20th Congress, tanong ang bibitawan ko katulad ba ito ng ibang bill na kailangang magsimula ulit?" he said, adding the question will likely be brought to court.
(We have to look at and study what will happen if this reaches the 20th Congress. Is this like a regular bill that would have to be refiled?)
(We have to look at and study what will happen if this reaches the 20th Congress. Is this like a regular bill that would have to be refiled?)
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He said the composition of the House and the Senate — which could be sitting as an impeachment court — will likely have changed in the 20th Congress
He said the composition of the House and the Senate — which could be sitting as an impeachment court — will likely have changed in the 20th Congress
"Minsan isa o dalawa lang ang pagbabago ng komposisyon ng Senado man o Kamara pero sinimulan pa rin sa simula dahil nag-iisang pagbabagong 'yun sapat na raw yun para simulan muli ang proseso," he said.
"Minsan isa o dalawa lang ang pagbabago ng komposisyon ng Senado man o Kamara pero sinimulan pa rin sa simula dahil nag-iisang pagbabagong 'yun sapat na raw yun para simulan muli ang proseso," he said.
(Sometimes, it can just be one or two changes at the Senate or the House, but that is enough of a difference for the legislative process to need to start over again)
(Sometimes, it can just be one or two changes at the Senate or the House, but that is enough of a difference for the legislative process to need to start over again)
Escudero acknowledged that the Senate will be bound to sit as an impeachment court if a complaint is endorsed to it for trial but that the chamber is not making any preparations for any of that yet.
Escudero acknowledged that the Senate will be bound to sit as an impeachment court if a complaint is endorsed to it for trial but that the chamber is not making any preparations for any of that yet.
"Parang judge lang naman 'yan eh. Hindi naman niya puwede i-assume na may kaso na isasampa sa kanyang korte. Gagalaw at aaksyon lamang sya pag meron na."
"Parang judge lang naman 'yan eh. Hindi naman niya puwede i-assume na may kaso na isasampa sa kanyang korte. Gagalaw at aaksyon lamang sya pag meron na."
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(In the same way that a judge will not assume that he will be trying a case that has not been filed yet. The judge will only move if the case is already there.)
(In the same way that a judge will not assume that he will be trying a case that has not been filed yet. The judge will only move if the case is already there.)
'POLITICALLY DIVISIVE'
Escudero said that impeachment proceedings, like any politically divisive issue will affect investor confidence and the normal functions government, adding he understands sentiments from colleagues about being wary of the polarization a trial might cause.
Escudero said that impeachment proceedings, like any politically divisive issue will affect investor confidence and the normal functions government, adding he understands sentiments from colleagues about being wary of the polarization a trial might cause.
"Kapag sinabi mong political process, may kanya-kanyang opinion tayo. Nagkukumbinsihan tayo, magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw at tiyak ko pagmumulan ito ng pagkakahati-hati natin. Sino ba naman ang may gusto na maghati-hati tayo at magkaroon tayo ng mainit na debate at hindi pagkakaunawaan tulad ng isang halalan?" he said.
"Kapag sinabi mong political process, may kanya-kanyang opinion tayo. Nagkukumbinsihan tayo, magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw at tiyak ko pagmumulan ito ng pagkakahati-hati natin. Sino ba naman ang may gusto na maghati-hati tayo at magkaroon tayo ng mainit na debate at hindi pagkakaunawaan tulad ng isang halalan?" he said.
(When you talk about a political process, we all have our own opinions. We will try to convince each other and I am sure this will lead to some division. Who would want division and to have heated debates and misunderstandings as we would in an election?)
(When you talk about a political process, we all have our own opinions. We will try to convince each other and I am sure this will lead to some division. Who would want division and to have heated debates and misunderstandings as we would in an election?)
He said, however, that proceedings like an impeachment are legal processes to hold certain government officials accountable and that the Senate would have no choice but to do its job if it comes.
He said, however, that proceedings like an impeachment are legal processes to hold certain government officials accountable and that the Senate would have no choice but to do its job if it comes.
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