Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero made it clear on Tuesday that the Senate’s decision to remand the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the case.
Following the 18-5 vote in favor of a motion raised by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Escudero emphasized that the move aims to allow the House prosecutors to clarify key legal points, rather than terminate the proceedings outright.
“Walang intention na i-dismiss ang kasong ito,” Escudero stressed during the plenary, addressing those who may be doubting the court’s direction. He explained that the purpose was to allow the House panel to respond to certain legal concerns “nang hindi inaaksaya ang panahon ng Korte at nang hindi pa hinuhusgahan ang bagay na ito.”
Escudero clarified that the impeachment court did not make a judgment on whether the House violated the one-year ban rule or whether the 19th Congress had abandoned the complaint. “Kaya nga po tayo magtatanong at mag-i-issue ng order,” he added.
To underscore the Senate’s continuing role in the case, Escudero announced that the court has issued a writ of summons to Vice President Duterte, requiring her to formally respond to the complaint.
“The court therefore, having been organized and their articles of impeachment having been referred thereto, hereby, issues the Writ of Summons to Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte,” Escudero said. Duterte has been given a non-extendible period of ten days from receipt of the summons to submit her answer.
Escudero maintained that the impeachment court is committed to following its rules and will proceed accordingly during the 19th Congress.
