Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the sedition and grave threat complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Vice President Sara Duterte will not interfere with her upcoming impeachment trial.
In a GMA News Online report, Escudero stated that both proceedings could take place simultaneously without affecting each other. He emphasized that the impeachment trial, set to be conducted by the Senate, is separate from the NBI’s legal action.
“The impeachment proceedings will push through as scheduled. The complaint has no bearing on it. Both cases can proceed independently, whether concurrently or in sequence,” Escudero explained.
The NBI filed the complaint against Duterte following her statement about hiring someone to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez in the event of her death. The Department of Justice – National Prosecution Service is now tasked with assessing the evidence and conducting a preliminary investigation.
Escudero noted that the Senate will not automatically admit evidence from the NBI’s complaint in the impeachment trial. However, both the prosecution and defense teams can request to present similar evidence if they choose.
Among the seven Articles of Impeachment against Duterte is the allegation of conspiracy to assassinate Marcos, his wife, and the Speaker. The House of Representatives impeached the Vice President earlier this month, with over 200 lawmakers backing the motion.
Escudero said the impeachment trial will likely begin after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21. Duterte, meanwhile, has denied the allegations, asserting that her remarks were taken out of context.
