NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 07 June) – On February 5, 215 members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and graft and corruption.
Four months after the House transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, no action has been taken. The Senate is constitutionally mandated to act promptly on impeachment matters, yet Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero appears to be delaying the trial.
Initially, Escudero announced the Senate would convene on June 2, then postponed it to June 11—the final session day of the 19th Congress. Recently, he suggested the Senate plenary should decide whether to convene as a trial court, despite having the authority to do so himself. This reluctance raises suspicions of further delay.
Escudero’s evasiveness begs the question: Is he afraid of presiding over the trial of the volatile VP Duterte, who has publicly threatened bloodshed? Or is he avoiding conflict with her Senate allies to retain his position and secure future political support?
Duterte’s camp has praised Escudero’s inaction, while her allies in the Senate push to dismiss the case, calling it a waste of time and resources. Previously, Duterte claimed she had enough support to block a conviction. But if she is so confident, why the sudden shift in tone?
Could it be that a trial would expose how she allegedly misused millions in confidential funds from her office and the Department of Education? If so, Escudero’s delays may amount to a cover-up.
(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph.D., is a retired professor and former chancellor of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental.)
