Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday, June 25, challenged critics questioning whether senator-judges can file motions in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
This bold statement in response, in response to questions regarding whether a senator-judge can file a motion to dismiss the impeachment case.
Escudero emphasized that there is no rule or law barring any senator, regardless of their role as a judge in the impeachment court, from filing a motion, including a motion to dismiss.
“Lahat naman pwede [magfile ng motion], tandaan niyo lang... pakitaan niyo ako ng batas ng rule na nagsasabing bawal itong mosyon na ito. Wala namang bawal na motion, wala namang bawal na kahilingan, wala namang bawal na pag-usapan, wala pa akong nakitang rule na ganoon,” Escudero said.
According to Escudero, if any senator files a motion and another senator objects, the issue will simply be brought to a vote.
“Karapatan nino man na hilingin base sa kanyang paniniwala, anumang nais niyang hilingin kapag ‘yan ay gusto niyang pagbotohan dahil may nag-object, di pagbobotohan.”
Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel submitted two pleadings to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Senate Impeachment Court.
These were submitted by House Records Management Service Director Billy Uy.
The first document was a Manifestation with Re-submission of Entry of Appearance by the House Prosecution Team.
The second was a Certification affirming that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President does not violate the Constitution’s one-year bar rule, which prohibits multiple impeachment complaints against the same official within a year.
