MANILA – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday (17 mar 2025) dismissed any concerns that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) would delay the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. He clarified that the two matters are entirely separate.
“These are distinct incidents. I see no connection between them, and there is no reason for any delay in the Senate’s work or the impeachment process because of what’s happening in The Hague,” Escudero stated during a Senate briefing.
The Senate is scheduled to resume the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte immediately after their session starts on June 2.
Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 upon his return from Hong Kong. He is currently detained in The Hague while facing charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC.
Escudero emphasized that there is no legal basis to delay the impeachment due to the ICC case or any related protests. “There is no law that mandates we postpone the impeachment because of the ICC issue or any protests. We will proceed according to the schedule we set,” he added.
The impeachment trial’s timetable remains unchanged, with the Senate set to convene as an Impeachment Court on June 3, where senator-judges will take their oaths of office.
ia/mnm
