Escudero clarifies impeachment court constituted, but not yet convened | ABS-CBN
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Escudero clarifies impeachment court constituted, but not yet convened
Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate President on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero takes his oath as the new Senate President on May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Tuesday that the Senate impeachment court for the case of Vice President Sara Duterte was constituted when he took his oath as the presiding officer Monday night, but it still has not convened.
MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Tuesday that the Senate impeachment court for the case of Vice President Sara Duterte was constituted when he took his oath as the presiding officer Monday night, but it still has not convened.
Escudero explained that the oath-taking gives the court its form, but convening would require the presence of all senator-judges to begin the work.
Escudero explained that the oath-taking gives the court its form, but convening would require the presence of all senator-judges to begin the work.
"Pag kinonvene mo nagpukpok ka na, constituted, constituted ibig sabihin pinorma na. Constituted dahil may presiding officer na. Bagaman hindi pa sumusumpa yung mga miyembro," he said.
"Pag kinonvene mo nagpukpok ka na, constituted, constituted ibig sabihin pinorma na. Constituted dahil may presiding officer na. Bagaman hindi pa sumusumpa yung mga miyembro," he said.
Escudero explained the impeachment court would convene on the afternoon of June 10, when the senators take their oath as its members.
Escudero explained the impeachment court would convene on the afternoon of June 10, when the senators take their oath as its members.
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"Senado ang tinatanong. Ang Senado, pagpupuk ko ng martilyo, dun palang convened. Sa ngayon, constituted lang. Mula nung sumumpa kami noong 2022 at yung balanse noong 2019, constituted na yun basta may majority," he said.
"Senado ang tinatanong. Ang Senado, pagpupuk ko ng martilyo, dun palang convened. Sa ngayon, constituted lang. Mula nung sumumpa kami noong 2022 at yung balanse noong 2019, constituted na yun basta may majority," he said.
He assured the technicalities cannot be used to hinder the trial.
He assured the technicalities cannot be used to hinder the trial.
The referral of the impeachment articles to the Rules Committee was also done during the impeachment trials of former President Joseph Estrada and then Chief Justice Renato Corona, he said.
The referral of the impeachment articles to the Rules Committee was also done during the impeachment trials of former President Joseph Estrada and then Chief Justice Renato Corona, he said.
The Senate President admitted he originally wanted to change the process, but some senators wanted to keep the old practice.
The Senate President admitted he originally wanted to change the process, but some senators wanted to keep the old practice.
"It is established by precedent. Ganyan ang ginawa noon. Ministerial 'yan. At gusto ko nga sanang baguhin, i-refer na sa impeachment court. Eh ang gusto ni Sen. Koko, ganun daw. Dahil ganun daw dati. 'Yun din ang gusto ni Sen. Padilla. Eh di, sige. Sa akin naman kasi walang pinakaiba't pagbabago yun," he explained.
"It is established by precedent. Ganyan ang ginawa noon. Ministerial 'yan. At gusto ko nga sanang baguhin, i-refer na sa impeachment court. Eh ang gusto ni Sen. Koko, ganun daw. Dahil ganun daw dati. 'Yun din ang gusto ni Sen. Padilla. Eh di, sige. Sa akin naman kasi walang pinakaiba't pagbabago yun," he explained.
Escudero added these processes were not included in the rules of impeachment proceedings, but were the practice in past impeachment cases, where no issue was raised.
Escudero added these processes were not included in the rules of impeachment proceedings, but were the practice in past impeachment cases, where no issue was raised.
"Sa palagay ko nga, hindi sa mahalagang bagay. Hindi naman stricto 'yung mga rule pagdating sa ganyan. Ang importante, nasa tamang direksyon ang tinatahak. Generally, nasa tamang direksyon 'yung pagsunod din ng rules. Hindi naman kasi naapektuhan ito 'yung karapatan ng mga partido. Prosecution, man o defense," he added.
"Sa palagay ko nga, hindi sa mahalagang bagay. Hindi naman stricto 'yung mga rule pagdating sa ganyan. Ang importante, nasa tamang direksyon ang tinatahak. Generally, nasa tamang direksyon 'yung pagsunod din ng rules. Hindi naman kasi naapektuhan ito 'yung karapatan ng mga partido. Prosecution, man o defense," he added.
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