Escudero says he’ll do what’s right, what’s in the law amid criticisms
Following the delay in the holding of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero has maintained that the chamber is doing its duty, as he shrugged off questions that he may be scared of her. —PHOTO BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Following the delayed impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero has maintained that the chamber is doing its duty, as he shrugged off questions that he may be scared of her.
READ: On the fate of the impeachment trial vs Sara Duterte in the 20th Congress
Speaking to reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday, the Senate leaders said questions thrown at him about whether he was scared of Duterte were nothing but a “trap.”
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“Ginagawa namin kung ano ang trabaho namin, yung ganyang uri ng komentaryo ay pain. Uulitin ko dun sa mga ayaw kay VP Sara at pabor sa impeachment, dun sa mga gusto kay VP Sara at tutol sa impeachment – walang bale sa kin un, susundin ko kung ano ang tama at nakalagay sa batas sinuman ang mapaboran, sinuman ang tamaan,” said Escudero.
(We are only doing our job. That kind of commentary is nothing but a trap. I’ll repeat, to those who are against VP Sara and those who are in favor of the impeachment, it does not have a bearing on me. I will follow what is right and what is written in our laws, regardless of who will be favored and affected.)
“At ang ganyang uri ng komentaryo klarong nanggagaling sa kampo na tutol kay VP Sara at pabor sa impeachment. Hayaan nating dalhin nila ang kanilang opinyon at pananaw na iyon. Bilang Senado, bilang taga Pangulo ng Senado trabaho kong panatilihing pantay, pareho at makatarungan at naayon sa batas ang lahat ng gagawin namin,” he added.
(And that kind of commentary clearly comes from the camp that doesn’t like VP Sara and favors the impeachment. Let’s allow them to carry their opinion and views. As the Senate President, it is my job to ensure that what we are doing is fair, equal, and just. )
Escudero earlier postponed the presentation by House prosecutors of the articles of impeachment against Duterte from June 2 to June 11.
He said the schedule change was made “to allow the Senate to tackle priority legislative measures before the 19th Congress adjourns.”
During the ambush interview, he likewise questioned critics of this decision.
“Ano bang nawala sa kanila? Ano bang naidagdag sa kampo ni Vice President Sara? Ano bang nawala sa kampo ni Vice President Sara? Ano bang nadagdag sa kanila sa pagtulak ng petsa sa June 11. May nakalamang ba dahil doon na panig? Pakipaliwanag kasi sa palagay ko, sa tingin ko eh wala naman,” he said.
(How does this affect them? How does this benefit the camp of Vice President Sara? What could be the benefit if I push for June 11? Did any camp gain something? Explain it to me, because I think there’s none.)
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in a historic move, which garnered over 200 signatures from lawmakers.
On the same day, Feb. 5, the articles of impeachment were transmitted from the House of Representatives to the Senate, but the upper chamber adjourned its session without tackling the document.
