'Gigil na gigil': Chiz hits those rushing VP Sara impeachment trial, rejects calls to inhibit

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 rejected calls for him to inhibit from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

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He called out the alleged biases of those who made the call, whom he pointed out as partisans seeking to rush the ouster of the country's second-highest official.

"Klaro ang kanilang gusto mangyari, at hindi porket hindi sumasangayon sa kanila o sumusunod sa kanila, eh hindi na patas. Being fair means applying the rule evenly to everyone regardless of who it is. I do not consider it a necessity, nor do I consider it not being fair," Escudero said.

Escudero noted that the recent Supreme Court order showed that the high court shares some of the questions posed by the Senate to the House of Representatives.

"Out of the 11 questions of the Supreme Court, 5 of those were questions of the Senate itself to the House of Representatives," said Escudero.

"Kulang-kulang kalahati, pareho ang tinanong ng Senado sa Kamara at tinanong ng Korte Suprema. Maliban na lang siyempre kung ang tingin na naman nila sa Korte Suprema ay hindi rin patas," he added.

AUGUST TRIAL?

The Senate chief confirmed that he is eyeing to convene the trial on August 4 to give time to serve notice to the parties. But he also concedes the plenary will have final say over this timetable.

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"Pag-uusapan pa yun ng mga mga miyembro ng Senado, ng impeachment court, pag nag-resume na ang Senado. Pero yun yung tinatalaga namin dahil kailangan magbigay pa ng notice sa mga partido bago magsagawa ng hearing," he said.

"Yun yung imumungkahi ko. Bakit yun ang petsang yun. Dahil kailangan bigyan ng notice yung mga partido. Hindi naman pwedeng naisipan lang ng majority ng Senado, pag-open ng Senado, eh bukas na bukas din. Kailangan may sapat na panahon para magbigyan ng notice yung mga partido," he said.

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Escudero also explained why notices cannot be served now.

"Hindi, kasi kailangan pagkasunduan pa rin yan ng bagong kongreso. Alalahanin ninyo, may mga bagong miyembro, bagong kongreso ito, at kailangan pagpasyahan ang ilan sa mga bagay na pinagpasyahan ng 19th Congress," he said.

"Sinabi ko na sa inyo noon yan, the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress. The 20th Congress would have to make decisions all over again," he added.

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Escudero blasted questions seeking his assurance that there will be a trial.

"Ayan na naman kayo eh. Hindi ko kailangan sagutin yung mga tanong na pabalang tulad niyang galing sa mga grupo, na nangungulit lamang at gigil na gigil na matuloy ang impeachment trial. Tutuloy at mangyayari yan ayon sa batas," said Escudero.

'SAAN BA NAKASULAT NA MADALIIN ITO'

Escudero also hit those seeking to rush the trial.

"Hindi namin trabaho na pamadaliin. Saan ba nakasulat na madaliin ito? At hindi porke't nagmamadali sila ay kailangan na rin namin magmadali. Gagawin namin ito sangayon sa proseso," he said.

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While Escudero believes that the 20th Congress Senate has jurisdiction over the impeachment, he also anticipates it will be raised and decided again by the new plenary.

"May mga miyembro nagsabi na I-reraise nila yan so antabayan natin kung mangyayari nga yan, kung mangyayari man, pagbobotohan ng plenaryo," he said.

Escudero maintained that it will ultimately come down to a vote.

STUDENT LEADERS JOIN CALLS FOR ESCUDERO TO INHIBIT

Despite the heavy rains, student leaders trooped to the Senate on Monday to deliver an open letter to Escudero asking him to inhibit as senator-judge and presiding officer of the impeachment court.

The letter was signed by student councils and organizations from different parts of the country.

Jericho Robles, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) Manila coordinator, took a swipe at Escudero, whom he accused of delaying the process.

“Sa hinaba-haba ng panahon na siya ay nangunguna diyan, eh hindi naman siya nagsa-stand, hindi siya tumitinding para doon sa interes ng taumbayan na matagal nang nananawgan,” Robles claimed.

Miguel Basuel, SPARK national chairperson, said that by inhibiting, Escudero will restore faith in the impeachment process.

“Yung mga allegations na nagho-horse trading or kailangan ng political implications for the upcoming 20th Congress, ma-prove ni Senate President Escudero na hind yun yung pakay niya,” Basuel stated. 

Basuel also slammed the supposed target of some senators to reconvene the impeachment court on August 4, saying the trial should have already been held early this year. 

Robles alleged that Escudero is only looking out for himself.

The members of SPARK were not allowed to enter the main building of the Senate but a staff member from Escudero’s office came down to receive them.

The student leaders also tied red ribbons on the Senate gate, calling for Escudero’s inhibition. 

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