Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero acknowledged on Monday the political pressure mounted by several organizations with respect to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, but reiterated his previous statement that senators cannot be rushed on this issue.
“I respect their disappointment; that’s their right. But just because they’re disappointed—whoever they may be—and just because they’re in a rush, eager, and really want this to happen, it doesn’t mean we’ll comply,” Escudero said in a press conference.
The Senate chief was reacting to several reports published recently from various organizations and legal luminaries, including academic institutions, urging senators in the 19th Congress to stop delaying the impeachment proceedings.
Escudero reiterated his earlier position on the matter, saying the members of the Senate in 19th Congress will convene the impeachment court with the intention of letting the trial cross over into the 20th Congress, citing similar precedents in the US Congress.