Escudero: Sara Duterte trial delay not linked to Senate presidency
Senate President Francis Escudero and Vice President Sara Duterte —File photos by Niño Jesus Orbeta and Grig C. Montegrande | Philippines Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified on Monday that his decision to delay the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte was unrelated to talks of a possible change in Senate leadership.
Escudero moved the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment from June 2 to June 11, citing the priority legislation they need to pass before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die, or without scheduling a date to reconvene.
READ: Presentation of impeachment articles vs Sara Duterte moved to June 11
New schedule just procedural
He maintained that the schedule change is unrelated to the reported contest for the Senate presidency in the next Congress.
“I don’t see [any] connection whatsoever, no,” Escudero said at a press conference in the Senate.
“It has nothing to do, especially given the fact that the 20th Congress will have a totally different composition,” he added.
But the Senate chief admitted that discussions about the Senate leadership are in full swing, as earlier revealed by Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go.
Dela Rosa disclosed that Escudero had reached out to their group, dubbed the Duterte bloc, to talk about the Senate leadership.
READ: Escudero reaches out to Duterte bloc amid Senate shake-up murmurs
Dela Rosa named his colleagues in the Duterte bloc as Go, Senators Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos, and Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta.
Courting support
Go, meanwhile, said both Escudero and Senator-elect Vicente “Tito” Sotto III are seeking the support of their group for the Senate presidency.
READ: Escudero, Sotto seek Duterte bloc’s support for Senate presidency – Go
“We’re talking—they’re all my friends. We’re discussing work not just for the 19th but also for the 20th,” Escudero said when asked if he is already wooing his colleagues.
He added, “But in my view, it’s still too early — whatever the answer is now might change next week or next month, so all the discussions and preparations happening now feel a bit premature,” he added.
Sotto has no qualms expressing in interviews his interest in the Senate presidency if the majority of senators will support him./mcm/abc
