The proper process will have to be followed in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Friday, Feb. 7.
The Articles of Impeachment against the vice president were transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate on Wednesday.
Senate President Francis Escudero on Thursday ruled out any impeachment proceedings during Congress’ adjournment, citing legal and procedural constraints that must first be addressed before the Senate can act on any complaint.
Escudero said the Senate must be in session before an impeachment court can be convened.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday said it depends on the senators on when they will start the impeachment proceedings.
“It’s up to them. We leave it to their sound discretion”, he said.
Benitez said he does not fully understand what is happening but the process will have to be followed.
The Senate has adjourned so the impeachment proceedings will probably start on June 2, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
“One thing for sure is a lot of us will be glued to our televisions watching the proceedings,“ he said.* with a report from PNA