Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero presides over the hybrid hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education on August 1, 2023. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File

MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday said those who object to the impeachment court sending the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives may raise their issues at the Supreme Court.  

'Not co-equal': Escudero says House cannot defy impeachment court's orders

"Doon sa mga hindi sang-ayon, malaya po sila, puwedeng kwestyunin ito either sa impeachment court o sa Korte Suprema kung sa palagay nila may nilabag na batas ang impeachment court," he said in a press conference.

(To those who disagree, they are free to question it before the impeachment court or Supreme Court if they feel we broke the law)

The Senate on Tuesday convened as an impeachment court, with 18 senator-judges voting to remand the articles of impeachment, a move that has been criticized as unconstitutional.

The Senate impeachment court also ordered the House of Representatives to certify that their impeachment complaint did not violate the 1987 Constitution.

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Escudero admitted that there are few precedents for the impeachment court to follow but also reminded Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of five who opposed the motion, that each court is a "class of its own."

"Ngayon kung sa pananaw at palagay niya ay ilegal yan, ginagalang ko ang kanyang karapatan na kwestyunin na ito sa Korte Suprema. At anumang kautusan ng Korte Suprema bilang abogado, ako'y tatalima doon," he added.

(Now, if she feels what we did is illegal, I respect her right to question that at the Supreme Court. And, as a lawyer, I will abide by any order from the Supreme Court)

TOLENTINO PROPOSAL JUNKED

Escudero also said that Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino's proposal to expedite trial and render a judgment by June 30 has been set aside.

Tolentino files resolution seeking to end Sara Duterte trial by June 30

"May provision ba sa Saligang Batas na dapat madaliin ang presentasyon ng ebidensya, finish or not finish nga? Wala rin naman. Pero kahapon, isinang tabi na yan. Pero yung mga ganung uri ng kahilingan, malayang puwedeng gawin yun ng sino mang senator-judge," he said.

(Is there a provision in the Constitution requiring us to rush the presentation of evidence? There isn't any. We have set his motion aside but any senator-judge is free to make that kind of motion)

Escudero also denied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had anything to do with the impeachment court's decision.