Start of VP trial up for discussion – BusinessWorld Online
SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Monday said that the proposed start of the impeachment trial of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio will still be open for plenary discussion once the Senate convenes on July 28.
“This will be discussed by the members of the Senate impeachment court once we resume. But that is what we are (pushing for) because we need to give notice to the parties before a hearing is held,” Mr. Escudero told reporters.
Last week, Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said the Senate is eyeing Aug. 4 as the new date to reconvene as an impeachment court.
The Senate was originally expected to convene as an impeachment court on July 29, a day after Congress opens. Senator judges must take their oath before the trial begins.
Mr. Escudero added that the one-week period once the 20th Congress convenes would allow the House of Representatives to comply with the orders of the Senate impeachment court.
Senators in early June voted to return the impeachment complaint back to the House to clarify its constitutionality and that it would pursue the impeachment proceedings in the next Congress.
“The second order should have been made by the 20th House of Representatives, not the previous. If they can’t comply by Aug. 4, we’ll talk about it then,” Mr. Escudero said.
Earlier, the House prosecution panel submitted a document to the Senate certifying that the chamber adhered to the Constitution. It has not yet submitted the second order. — Adrian H. Halili
