New Senators Question Delay in Duterte Impeachment Trial Start
Senator Joel Villanueva shared that Senate President Chiz Escudero discussed the timeline with fellow senators, citing the need to finalize Senate leadership after the July 28 opening of Congress.
Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, and Tito Sotto called for an earlier trial start, citing the Constitution's directive to proceed without delay. Pangilinan stressed the need for clarity, while Lacson emphasized the importance of a plenary vote and open deliberation.
Sotto noted that the process has already faced considerable delays.
In contrast, Senator Bam Aquino expressed support for the August 4 start, vowing to uphold the Constitution and scrutinize all evidence presented.
All four senators—Pangilinan, Lacson, Sotto, and Aquino—are newly elected and have yet to take their oaths as senator-judges. While Pangilinan and Aquino are aligned with Escudero's majority bloc, Lacson and Sotto belong to the emerging 'veterans bloc' that may lead the minority.
Vice President Duterte was impeached in February over fund misuse allegations and threats against the Marcos family. The trial's timeline remains a point of contention, with Duterte's petition to halt the proceedings still pending before the Supreme Court.
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