By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, has formally returned the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, while also issuing a Writ of Summons (WOS) for her to respond to serious allegations—effectively cancelling the scheduled presentation set for June 11.
Senate President and Presiding Officer Francis Escudero confirmed on Wednesday that the Senate has postponed further proceedings after the upper chamber convened as an impeachment court on June 10 and issued the necessary preliminary orders.
In a letter dated the same day and addressed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Escudero stated that the scheduled presentation had been rendered “moot” due to the initiation of formal court processes, including the referral of the complaint, issuance of summons, and the adoption of impeachment trial rules.
“Furthermore, at 9:39 p.m. of even date, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, adjourned to a date and time to be set by the Presiding Officer,” Escudero wrote.
Duterte also furnished a copy of the letter.
The Senate Impeachment Court also approved a motion filed by Senator-Judge Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as amended by Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano, directing the return of the Articles of Impeachment to the House “without dismissing or terminating the case.”
The return was made contingent on two conditions: a certification from the House that the one-year bar rule under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution was not violated, and a declaration from the incoming 20th Congress expressing its readiness to pursue the case.
Escudero emphasized that this action was a procedural step and not a dismissal, “Na-convene na ang court. Sa katunayan, nag-isyu na ng summons kay Vice President Sara Duterte ang impeachment court.”
Despite the return of the articles, the court moved ahead with issuing a formal writ of summons to the Vice President, ordering her to respond to the charges outlined in Article I of the complaint.
The summons, served by the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and received by the Office of the Vice President on June 11, mandates Duterte to respond within three days of service.
The complaint accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and committing high crimes—including allegedly contracting an assassin and plotting to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, claims reportedly made by Duterte during a live broadcast.
Meanwhile, Escudero dismissed suggestions that the House could simply disregard the Senate’s directive, reiterating that in impeachment proceedings, the Senate acts as the court and the House as the prosecutor—a dynamic distinct from co-equal legislative functions.
“This is not a bicameral conference where both sides need to agree. This is a court order directed at a party to the case. Wala sa lugar para sa akin ang Kamara na hindi sumunod sa ipinag-uutos ng impeachment court,” he said.
Responding to criticism and questions over the legality and constitutionality of the court’s actions, Escudero said only the Supreme Court has the authority to resolve such matters.
“Kasaysayan lamang, with the benefit of hindsight, ang pwedeng magsabi kung sino ang tama o mali,” he added.
