Escudero addresses 'no impeachment trial' scenario: 'In the end, Senate plenary is supreme'

Senate President Chiz Escudero answers questions from the media during a press conference at a restaurant in Quezon City on February 19, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday defended his decision to postpone the reading of impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte that would have set in motion the impeachment proceedings, arguing that it did not favor either the prosecution or defendant. 

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"Walang mapapaboran nito, walang masasaktan... Ang nakuha lang namin dito ay mas mahabang panahon para magawa yung totoo talaga naming trabaho—ang magpasa ng makabuluhang batas," Escudero said in a press conference.

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Last week, Escudero announced that the prosecution panel's scheduled presentation at the Senate would be moved to June 11 instead of June 2, citing the tackling of "priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns" as the reason for the postponement.

Escudero said he consulted some senators on his move. 

The Senate President explained that from the start, the current Senate could only go as far as issue summons, and the trial was always projected to begin in the 20th Congress.

"Ang pinakamalayo nang mararating ng Senado ay ang mag-issue ng summons, dahil merong 10 araw para magsumite ng sagot ang nasasakdal at pagdating ng June 30, mawawalan na ng bisa ang awtoridad ang mga prosecutors," he said.

'PLENARY IS SUPREME'

Escudero also answered in the affirmative when asked if there was a possibility that the Senate would not even convene as an impeachment court, effectively killing the prospects of an impeachment trial in the 20th Congress. 

However, he said that "I doubt that that will happen."

"Kapag di kayo nakapag-convene [as impeachment court] before you adjourn, walang impeach trial next Congress? Kasama yan siguro sa pagdedebatihan. The plenary is the supreme body of the Senate, it gets to decide anything... If ever mag-decide ang plenary today na walang magko-convene sa June 11, in theory, yes but I doubt that," he said.

He also acknowledged the prospect that even if they convened the impeachment court and set the proceedings in motion, the 20th Congress may decide to set it aside.

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"Hindi pwedeng i-bind ng 19th Congress ang 20th Congress. Pwedeng sabihin ng 19th Congress na tatawid yang [impeachment], pwede sabihin ng 20th Congress na hindi, at idi-dismiss nila yan," he said.

"Sa dulo, you have to understand na sa Congress, plenary is supreme," Escudero said.

Escudero said that for this week, their priority is to approve certain bills and confirm the appointment of over 300 government officials.

"Siguro naman kung papapiliin tayo sa pagitan ng dalawang pwede nating gawin, doon ka sa mas may magagawa para sa ating mga kababayan," Escudero said.

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