Chiz firm, won't rush Sara trial

(UPDATE) SENATE President Francis Escudero on Friday rejected Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III's request to start Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial as soon as possible.

Escudero said he would have to consult with his colleagues in the chamber to see if they would be willing to start the trial.

"Will consult the others if they want to and if they are available. However, I disagree with him that we can start a trial during recess when we are not in session by simply agreeing to do so. This may bring our actions into question before the courts. As they say, Prudence is the better part of valor...," said Escudero in a text message.

On Thursday, Pimentel said he urged Escudero to call the senators to a caucus so they can explain their positions on the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

He also wrote Escudero to remind him that the Constitution mandates the Senate act "forthwith" on the Duterte impeachment case.

But Escudero is firm that there will be no impeachment trial while Congress takes a break for the May elections. The Senate and the House of Representatives will resume session on June 2.

On accusations by prominent lawyer Howard Calleja that he committed "constitutional breach" for failure to act "forthwith" on the impeachment case and for supposedly prematurely adjourning the Senate session, Escudero has this to say: "While I respect Atty. Calleja's opinion, he does not have a monopoly of all legal knowledge to accuse anyone of anything. Further, as I have stated before, I will not dignify nor listen to partisan legal opinions or positions for or against the impeachment of VP Sara. I will follow the law and what I believe to be right and fair."

Calleja argued that Escudero postponed the Senate session two days earlier than planned, thereby hindering progress on the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

He said Escudero reneged on his constitutional duty to address the issue "forthwith."

Last Tuesday, the Senate chief said that nobody can force him to start an impeachment trial against Duterte until the Senate resumes session on June 2.

He said starting the trial now would not work because of the rule that two-thirds vote is needed to reach a verdict.

‌He doubted that the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court, could finish the trial before June 30, when the composition of the Senate will change with the entry of those who will be elected in May.