The Peace Advocates of Negros (PAN) on Tuesday, June 3, challenged the Senate leadership to start the impeachment trial versus Vice President Sara Duterte immediately.
“We are concerned at what we perceive to be a clear effort on the part of the Senate leadership to delay or derail the impeachment trial of the VP,” a PAN statement said.
“As citizens, it is our right to know the truth behind the vice president‘s alleged misuse of public funds,” the peace advocates said.
The search for this truth through an impeachment trial is now in the hands of the Senate, they said.
“Not to do so is to be remiss in their oath to uphold the Constitution,” the peace advocates said.
“We want it clear that the impeachment trial is not a tool of political persecution but a constitutional process available to Filipino citizens to hold public officials to account, accountability being a cornerstone of democracy,” they stressed.
Senate President Francis Escudero said on Tuesday that the Senate would only be able to issue summons to the vice president on June 11, as it has no more time to initiate trial proceedings before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.
“The only thing the 19th Congress can do is issue summons. Because according to our rules, the respondent, VP Sara, has 10 days to reply,” he said in a radio interview.
If the Senate assumes jurisdiction on June 11, Escudero expects the Senate to formally convene as an impeachment court, allowing House prosecutors to read the Articles of Impeachment.
Substantive proceedings, however, will likely be suspended until the 20th Congress convenes on July 28, he said.
Escudero also reiterated that the final decision rests with the Senate as a collegial body.*CPG with a report from PNA