Senators back move to delay VP Sara's impeachment proceedings

MANILA – Senators on Friday expressed their support to the decision of Senate President Francis Escudero to postpone the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, citing the Senate’s constitutional duty to focus on legislation before converting itself into an impeachment court.

“While among the functions and responsibilities of the Senate is to act as an impeachment court, its primary mandate is to legislate – to craft, deliberate, and pass laws that promote the general welfare of the people,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said in a statement.

Estrada said Escudero’s decision to defer the impeachment proceedings is aligned with the consensus reached during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting Thursday, which includes members of the Executive branch, Senate, and House of Representatives.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who was also present at the LEDAC meeting, supported Escudero’s move, citing the need to pass at least 12 priority bills before the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress on June 14.

“Yes, I was at the LEDAC meeting because I have three pending bills in the Committee on Ways and Means that we want to get approved before the end of the 19th Congress: the Anti-POGO Bill, the Denatured Alcohol Bill, and the bill increasing the tax on vape products,” he said.

Gatchalian said finalizing the 12 bills during the six remaining session days would require intense focus from the Senate, including bicameral meetings, consultations, and committee hearings.

“Having said that, I do agree to devote the next two weeks to finish the remaining bills and other legislative priorities before converting itself into an impeachment court,” he added.

Escudero has moved the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment, a prerequisite to convene the Senate as an impeachment court, from June 2, 2025 to June 11, to allow Congress to act on urgent priority measures before its sine die adjournment.

He has sent a letter to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez regarding this, pointing to the pending confirmation of over 200 officials by the Commission on Appointments upon the legislature’s resumption on June 2. (PNA)

(2025/05/30-11:23)