Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has confirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte will be delayed this month, with Congress adjourning sine die next week and the articles scheduled for reading on the last session day.
In a press briefing on Monday, Escudero addressed criticisms over the alleged delays in the Vice President's impeachment trial.
"Susumpa kami, magcoconvene ang impeachment court, mag-aaprove ng rules at mag-iissue ng summons. Doon magwawakas 'yung procedure na gagawin sa ilalim ng 19th Congress sa June 11," the Senate President said.
"Hihintayin namin, magbibigay ng sagot ang Ikalawang Pangulo, sampung araw matapos niyang matanggap 'yung summons. Pagkagat ng June 30, wala nang otoridad ang mga prosecutors o private prosecutors nila so maaantala ang trial at hihintayin na 'yung pagbubukas ng panibagong Kongreso," he added.
The Senate leader said it will be up to the 20th Congress to decide whether to move forward with the impeachment trial and determine its schedule. However, he noted that the Senate majority will act accordingly if a motion is filed.
"'Yung hindi sang-ayon sa magiging pasya ng Senado, karapatan nilang umakyat sa Korte Suprema, para bigyang linaw 'yung isyung ito, kung may paglabag nga ba o wala," he asserted.
Escudero added that even the convening of the impeachment court on June 11 is a matter for the plenary to decide, and whatever the 19th Congress decides will not bind the next Senate.
Earlier, Senator Francis Tolentino insisted that the impeachment cannot "cross over," meaning that if the trial is not completed this month, it will be functionally dismissed.
This position was echoed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who said it is up to the Senate to decide on the matter.
"Ang impeachment complaint ay nasa Senado na. So we leave it to their sound discretion as to how they want to proceed and conduct," Romualdez told reporters in an ambush interview.
"The Senate President outlined the priority measures that they would like to prioritize first. We have to respect the decision of the Senate President," he added.
On the other hand, Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her dismay over the delay, noting that it would "violate the Constitution."
"Any further delays in commencing the trial against VP Duterte would violate the Constitution, that the Senate must forthwith proceed with the impeachment trial. Hindi kapag ready na, hindi kapag convenient," Hontiveros said.
Likewise, ML Party-list Representative-elect Leila de Lima previously expressed fears that the delay may lead to the death of the complaint.
"Para sa akin 'yung impeachment trial at this stage, the convening of the impeachment court and also proceeding with the impeachment trial is not optional," De Lima said.
In an interview with DZRH's Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor, a member of the House prosecution team, also expressed disappointment over the Senate's decision to move the impeachment proceedings from June 2 to June 11.
Defensor asserted that the delay is a missed opportunity for Filipinos to witness the early presentation of evidence in the impeachment case against the Vice President, including the defense from her legal team.
"Tama naman na tapusin natin ang ating mga legislative matters lalo na yung ating mga priority bills, ngunit sana maintindihan ng ating mga Senador na ang impeachment ay ang pinaka-importante na uri ng paglilitis sa ating bansa," the Congressman said.
