Manila: Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday expressed appreciation for Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III's willingness to lead the drafting of rules for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. "I welcome and thank Sen. Pimentel's offer to help draft the proposed rules. I will instruct the legal team to coordinate with him on this matter," he said in a Viber message to reporters.
According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero emphasized that all proposals, including rules and the trial calendar, require approval in plenary or by the Impeachment Court once sessions resume on June 2. "Again, all of these are simply proposals that will have to be approved in plenary and/or by the Impeachment Court once we resume and/or convene," he added.
Pimentel's readiness to lead the drafting process follows Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino's recommendation to establish a special subcommittee for this purpose. He assured he will be waiting for the official designation. "Hintay muna ako sa official assignment. Then discuss ko sa staff ko. Pero just like Sen. Tol(entino), I am also a candidate but I am willing to devote time to our duty (I'll just wait for the official assignment. Then I'll discuss it with my staff. But like Sen. Tolentino, I am also a candidate but I am willing to devote time to our duty)," he said.
The Senate is preparing for the impeachment trial following the House of Representatives' transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte on Feb. 5. The trial is anticipated to commence once the Senate reconvenes. Escudero has previously directed the creation of an administrative support group to ensure the Senate's preparedness for the trial.
Meanwhile, a senior high school teacher filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the impeachment process. In his petition for declaratory relief, Barry Tayam asked the tribunal to clarify the meaning of the term "forthwith" in the constitutional provision on when the Senate can convene itself as an impeachment court. He was referring to Section 3(4) of Article XI of the Constitution, which states: '(I)n case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.'
Tayam, who claims he is neither siding for or against Duterte, said he filed the suit in his capacity as a taxpayer and registered voter to ask the tribunal to rule if the Senate's moves are constitutional or if there was undue delay.
