Vice-President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will start when a new Congress convenes in July, Senate President Francis Escudero said, ruling out the chances of a special session while lawmakers are on election break.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on Feb 5, ahead of their recess, for charges including plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and misuse of public funds.
The vice-president, daughter of ex-leader Rodrigo Duterte, has denied the accusations.
The Senate, which will sit as an impeachment court, adjourned on the same day without tackling the impeachment complaint.
“SONA is on July 21 so trial will commence after that date,” Escudero said in a televised briefing, referring to Marcos’ annual state of the nation address before the lawmakers yesterday.
Duterte, who has publicly feuded with Marcos, faces removal from office and disqualification to hold a public post if at least two-thirds of senators vote to convict her, according to the Constitution.
Her impeachment is the latest episode in the deepening fallout between Marcos and Duterte, who teamed up to win the 2022 election.
The Senate is expected to resume session on June 2, after the midterm elections in May when half of the upper chamber’s 24 seats will be contested.
A lot of things need to be done before the impeachment trial, Escudero said.
“A court is convened once it is ready to receive evidence,” he said, adding he doesn’t intend to request Marcos to call for a special session during the recess. — Bloomberg
