Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17406482246461740648272925.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senate President Francis Escudero answers questions during a forum with the members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in Manila on September 24, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senate President Francis Escudero answers questions during a forum with the members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in Manila on September 24, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero says his colleagues rejected a proposal for an all-member caucus to discuss the next steps in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called for caucus to discuss the matter of convening, saying it would be a chance for senators to discuss it informally since the Senate went on recess this month without taking it up.</p><p>&quot;Not at this time, no,&quot; Escudero said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/20/koko-seeks-all-senator-caucus-to-discuss-next-move-on-impeachment-1600">Koko seeks all-senator caucus to discuss next move on VP Sara impeachment<br/></a></div><p>&quot;How can it be an all senator caucus when some are traveling and some are abroad and some are not available and some aren&#x27;t interested?&quot; the Senate president said, adding any agreements and resolutions at the proposed caucus would not be binding anyway.</p><p>Escudero also rejected claims that the trial is being delayed, saying the Senate is &quot;simply proceeding with it legally, constitutionally, and in accordance with law.&quot; </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/27/escudero-timetable-sees-vp-duterte-impeachment-trial-starting-on-july-30-1419">Escudero timetable sees VP Duterte impeachment trial starting on July 30<br/></a></div><p>Still,  Escudero explained that he wants the Senate to be ready for trial, which would require additional spending as well as more work for Senate staff.</p><p>The Senate is also finding it a challenge to engage additional lawyers to assist with the impeachment trial because of the &quot;supposedly highly politically-charged&quot; nature of the proceedings, Escudero said.</p><p>&quot;But, in the meantime, the solicitor general will stand and represent us in any litigation before any court. Most likely before the Supreme Court,&quot; he said.</p><p>The Senate is a party in a petition filed before the SC by Kingdom of Jesus Christ lawyer Israelito Torreon and several others seeking<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/18/group-of-lawyers-challenge-sara-duterte-s-impeachment-at-supreme-court-1109"> a court order to stop the upper chamber from proceeding with the trial</a>.</p><p>&quot;Yung kay VP Sara, iintayin namin matanggap yung notice mula sa Korte Suprema (As for the petition filed by VP Sara, we will wait for notice from the Supreme Court). Because as I understand it — I&#x27;ve read the petition — there are no allegations against the Senate in the petition itself.&quot; </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/25/sc-asks-senate-house-leaders-to-comment-on-vp-sara-s-petition-vs-impeachment-case-1445">SC asks Senate, House leaders to comment on VP Sara&#x27;s petition vs. impeachment case</a></div>

<p>Senate President Francis Escudero says his colleagues have rejected having an all-member caucus to discuss the next steps in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Senate President Francis Escudero says his colleagues have rejected having an all-member caucus to discuss the next steps in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Escudero: Senators busy, not interested in caucus on VP Duterte impeachment trial

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Escudero: Senators busy, not interested in caucus on VP Duterte impeachment trial

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 27, 2025 05:25 PM PHT

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Senate

Sara Duterte

impeachment

impeachment trial

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