MANILA, Philippines – Nilagdaan ni Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero ang Special Order No. 2025-015 (OSP) Series of 2025 sa paglikha ng administrative support group na tutulong sa Senado sa pagtitipon ng Impeachment Court para sa paglilitis kay Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Escudero na nilagdaan ang Special Order nitong Pebrero 20, 2025 na epektibo kaagad at mananatili hanggang sa pagtatapos ng impeachment trial ni Duterte.
“This Special Order is vital to ensure that the Senate, in its role as an Impeachment Court, operates smoothly and efficiently. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of justice and due process throughout the proceedings,” ayon kay Escudero sa pagpapalabas ng kauutusan.
Alinsunod sa itinakda ng SO 2025-015, itinalaga ng Senate President ang Secretary of the Senate bilang Clerk of the Senate na umuupo bilang Impeachment Court base sa Rules of Procedures on Impeachment Trials.
May kapangyarihan ang Secretary of the Senate mula sa Senate President na magpalabas ng administrative orders, directives, at guidelines na kailangan upang suportahan ang Clerk of Court at ang Impeachment Court.
Itinakda ng kautusan ang detalyadong reponsibilidad at designation ng support offices at personnel mula sa Senate Secretariat upang magbigay ng comprehensive legal, technical, administrative, at general staff support sa Clerk of Court.
Pangunahing tanggapan na sangkot sa kautusan ang Office of the Senate Legal Counsel, the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legislation, at ang Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, na lahat kikilos bilang Deputy Clerks.
Alinsunod na kautusan, narito ang papel ng naturang tanggapan sa impeachment trials na sumusunod:
Office of the Senate Legal Counsel:
• Drafting of subpoenas, writs, summons, orders, resolutions, decisions, and other legal instruments.
• Preparation of legal memoranda and briefs, summaries of proceedings, and pleadings as required by the Presiding Officer or the Impeachment Court.
• Marking and maintaining custody of exhibits submitted before the Impeachment Court.
• Provision of procedural and substantive support to the Clerk of Court.
Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legislation:
• Transcripts and journals of the trial, custody and maintenance of the Oath Book, preparation of the Business of the Trial and scenario for each trial day.
• Drafting of Impeachment Court resolutions.
• Custody of and handling all documents pertaining to the proceedings.
• Processing requests for copies of Impeachment Trial documents, subject to approval and applicable fees.
Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms:
• Ensuring necessary security and safety measures to maintain order during the proceedings.
• Serving summons, subpoenas, and other legal documents as directed by the Presiding Officer or the Clerk of Court.
• Ensuring order in the chamber and its premises during the proceedings.
• Carrying out all orders and directives of the Presiding Officer related to the preservation of order and decorum.
