Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has called on his colleagues in the Senate to avoid making public statements about the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing the need to maintain impartiality.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Escudero noted that the impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism to uphold accountability among top officials.
“I reiterate my call to my colleagues in the Senate to refrain from making any public comments or statements regarding the allegations in the complaint’s articles of impeachment,” Escudero said.
He warned that premature comments could create perceptions of bias or prejudice, undermining both the integrity of a potential impeachment trial and public trust in the Senate as an institution.
Context of the Complaint
The impeachment complaint, endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña, accuses Duterte of:
- Culpable violations of the Constitution
- Graft and corruption
- Bribery
- Betrayal of public trust
- Other high crimes
The complaint arose shortly after Duterte made a controversial remark about having President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed if a supposed plot against her succeeded. Duterte clarified that her statement was not a threat but a way to underscore alleged threats to her safety, adding it was taken “out of logical context.”
Senate’s Role and Commitment
Escudero stressed that the Senate must remain impartial should it act as an impeachment court.
“While impeachment is often described as a political exercise, it is crucial that members of the Senate approach it with the impartiality and objectivity demanded of us,” he said.
“We must remain steadfast in upholding the principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that every step of the process adheres to the Rule of Law.”
He also reminded senators to stay focused on their legislative duties and avoid letting the impeachment proceedings affect their work.
“The Senate stands ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate with integrity and impartiality while upholding the national interest,” Escudero added.
Broader Implications
President Marcos has expressed opposition to the impeachment efforts, stating that such moves do not serve the interests of Filipinos. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin reiterated that the Office of the President is uninvolved in the ongoing impeachment process.