The Vice President Duterte impeachment case advanced after the House approved the complaint, but the Senate trial is delayed until after the midterm elections in June. Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed the Senate will begin formal proceedings when sessions resume.
The chamber, which will serve as the impeachment court, adjourned its session on February 5 and will resume on June 2.
Escudero clarified that the Senate cannot legally convene as an impeachment court without first referring the complaint to plenary. He noted that the final session day was dedicated to other legislative matters, leaving no time to initiate the process.
“We cannot proceed unless the impeachment complaint was taken up in plenary before adjournment,” Escudero said. “Since that did not happen, the Senate will take this up when we reconvene in June.”
Senate Preparations During the Break
While no formal trial can proceed during the recess, the Senate will undertake preliminary work. Escudero said he would direct Senate legal experts to review and update impeachment rules. The last revision occurred during the 2011 trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“I will instruct the Senate Secretary and legal consultants to draft amendments to the rules,” he said. “These will be circulated among senators for study and discussion before voting once we resume.”
Another key issue is the verification of the 215 House signatures endorsing the impeachment. While e-signatures are valid for general legislation, Escudero emphasized that impeachment requires verification under oath. The Senate secretary general will assess these signatures during the break.
Possibility of a Special Session
Some have suggested that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could call a special session to accelerate the trial. While this is legally permissible, Escudero said such sessions are typically reserved for urgent legislative matters.
Marcos, when asked, said he would consider a special session if formally requested by the Senate. “If the senators ask for it, yes,” he stated.
Debate Over Senate’s Role
House prosecutors, led by Reps. Lorenz Defensor and Rodge Gutierrez, said they respect the Senate’s decision but hope for an expedited process once sessions resume.
“The Senate is an independent body, and we leave it to their interpretation of the rules,” Defensor said. “But we will be ready whether the trial starts in June or later.”
Rep. France Castro, however, criticized Escudero for blaming the House for the delay. “The House consolidated multiple impeachment complaints into one. That took time. Now the Senate is saying they need more time, too. If they wanted to act on it quickly, they could.”
Legal Perspectives on Trial Timing
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and legal experts believe the trial can proceed even under a new Congress. Trillanes pointed out that impeachment is a constitutional process separate from ordinary legislation.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, however, argued that the trial should conclude before the current Senate adjourns in June. He cited a Supreme Court ruling stating that unfinished legislative matters do not automatically carry over to the next Congress.
“The present Senate must complete the process,” Macalintal said. “A new Senate cannot inherit an unfinished impeachment trial.”
What’s Next?
As the Senate recess continues, impeachment preparations will take place behind the scenes. If no special session is called, formal proceedings will begin in June. Whether the case gains momentum before the elections remains to be seen, but it will likely shape the political landscape leading up to the polls.
