MANILA, Philippines- Ipinalabas ni Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero ang inisyal na timetable para sa alituntunin na susundin sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, na itinakda sa July 30.
Ipinamahagi ni Escudero sa media ang kopya ng liham na may petsang Pebrero 24 na ipinadala sa kasamahan sa Senado kabilang kay Duterte, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, kalakip ang itinakdang kalendaryo ng impeachment trial:
“1. June 2 at 3 p.m.: Resumption of session; presentation of the Articles of Impeachment by the prosecutors; and Approval of the revised Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials
2. June 3 at 9 a.m.: Convening the Impeachment Court and oath-taking of incumbent senator-judges
3. June 4: Issuance of summons
4. June 14 to 24: Reception of pleadings
5. June 24 to July 25: Pre-trial
6. July 28: Inaugural session of the Senate of the 20th Congress (10 a.m.); Joint Session of Congress to hear the State of the Nation Address of the President (4 p.m.)
7. July 29: Oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court (9 a.m.); Plenary session of the Senate (3 p.m.)
8. July 30: Start of trial (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)”
Sa press briefing nitong Huwebes, ipinanukala ni Escudero ang kalendaryo na maaari pang pagdiskusyunan at pagdesisyunan ng Senado sakaling magbalik ang sesyon sa Hunyo2.
“Hindi ito nakaukit sa bato. Hindi ito ‘yong mangyayari na talaga… para magkaroon sila ng ideya na at habang recess matimbang na nila kung ano talaga ang gusto nila at ano ang magiging pasya ng mas nakararami kaugnay niyan,” ani Escudero.
Idinagdag ng lider ng Senado na may ipinadalang kopya ang Senado kina Duterte at Romualdez na ipinamahagi sa kasamahan bilang “reference” at sa interes ng transparency.
Bukod dito, naunang ipinalabas din ni Escudero ang Special Order na nagtatakda ng designasyon ng ilang tanggapan ng Senado bilang administrative support sa impeachment court.
Sa kanyang liham, ipinagtanggol ni Escudero ang kanyang posisyon na simulan ang impeachment trial kapag may sesyon ng Senado, at hindi sa special session gamit ang ilang jurisprudence at nakaraang pangyayari sa interpretasyon ng “forthwith” sa deliberasyon ng impeachment cases sa ilalim ng 1987 Constitution.
“This is an extraordinary duty that should be approached with all due caution and prudence, not to mention adequate preparation,” ani Escudero sa liham.
Bilang pagtindig sa kanyang posisyon, ibinahagi ni Escudero sa kasamahan ang ilang panukalang amendmentsa sa umiiral na Rules:
“1. Authorize the Senate President to issue summons on the person impeached and preside over the pre-trial and the receipt of judicial affidavits
2. Incorporate directly or by reference, Revised Rules of Court provisions on judicial affidavits, pre-trial conference, reception of evidence, electronic filing of pleadings, and other matters
3. Provide clear guidance on the procedure to be followed in case the trial is not concluded before the sine die adjournment of Congress”
Ayon kay Escudero: “the proposed amendments shall be circulated to all the senators for review, comment, and further amendments on or before March 31 “so that the revised rules can be approved by the Senate in plenary when we resume session on June 2, 2025.”
Samantala, hinggil naman sa hiwalay na liham ni Escudero kina Duterte at Romualdez, ibinahagi nito na susundin ang mga sumusunod na preparasyon na may kaugnayan sa impeachment trial:
“1. Ordering a review of the Rules of Procedures in Impeachment Trials for possible amendments and drafting of template impeachment court forms
2. Determining the appropriate physical arrangements in the session hall to accommodate the Senate sitting as an impeachment court
3. Institution of an enhanced security and visitor registration procedure and setting up designated areas for the prosecution, defense, media, and other guests
4. Improvement of redundant systems for internet connection, electricity supply, and establishment of other logistical requirements to ensure a continuous and transparent trial
5. Procurement of necessary equipment and supplies, including the robes for senator-judges
6. Engagement of external counsel, legal consultants, and researchers
7. Setting up of an e-filing system for the reception of digital copies of pleadings from the parties and transmission of resolutions or orders from the impeachment court to the parties and their counsel”
Inaprubahan ng Kamara ang impeachment laban kay Duterte noong Pebrero 5 na nilagdaan ng 215 kongresista saka ibinigay ang Articles of Impeachment sa Senate nang araw na iyon na nag-adjourn din ang sesyon. Ernie Reyes
