Manila: A member of the House prosecution panel expressed confidence on Wednesday that the resumption of Congress next week will not clash with the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to Philippines News Agency, House prosecutor and 1-Rider Party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez assured that lawmakers are equipped to fulfill both their legislative responsibilities and roles as prosecutors. He emphasized that the prosecution panel has been effectively managing trial duties alongside their obligations as House members even during Congress's recess.
Gutierrez noted, "As it is, even before session, divided na rin po talaga 'yung time ng prosecution (the time of the prosecution panel is already divided). We still have our constituents to serve. So, I think it should be very, very much manageable." He anticipates only minor adjustments once lawmakers reconvene.
The Congress is set to commence its Second Regular Session on July 27, prompting the Senate impeachment court to modify its schedule. Trial proceedings will now occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday to accommodate the House plenary session, instead of the usual 2 p.m. start. However, this revised schedule will not take immediate effect; the impeachment court will meet only on Wednesday next week before resuming its regular calendar.
Gutierrez expressed confidence that the impeachment trial will not disrupt the House's legislative activities. He stated, "I don't think so. Like I mentioned, as it stands, even before the session coming in, patuloy pa rin naman po 'yung trabaho ng mga prosecutors (the prosecutors' work continues) as congressmen. And I see it would be the same even with session resuming."
He further explained that returning to regular sessions could simplify the prosecutors' schedules, as it would reduce the need to balance impeachment proceedings with travel to their districts. Gutierrez also mentioned that the degree of private prosecutors' involvement would be determined by the prosecution's legal strategy, rather than the time constraints faced by lawmaker-prosecutors.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union echoed these sentiments, stating that the House could continue its legislative duties while lawmakers involved in the impeachment trial may need to extend their working hours. "Well, at least naman po medyo mas may flexibility kasi may schedule na. Kumbaga time management na lang po. But siguro makikita natin na medyo mag-o-overtime po ang House of Representatives lalo 'pag nag-start na po 'yung session (there is some sort of flexibility because there is already a schedule. Basically, it's just time management. But we can see that the House of Representatives will be working overtime when the session starts)," Ortega remarked.
He observed that the congressional recess posed a greater scheduling challenge, as lawmakers had to divide their time between impeachment proceedings and constituency duties. District offices remained operational throughout the break, allowing lawmakers to continue serving their constituents despite having fewer opportunities for personal visits to barangays and municipalities.
