MANILA – The Solicitor General’s Office (OSG) will represent the Senate in Supreme Court petitions regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, confirmed Senate President Francis Escudero.
At a press conference in Quezon City, Escudero shared that he had referred to the OSG a petition from Duterte’s allies seeking to halt the Senate impeachment proceedings. Duterte herself has filed a petition challenging the impeachment complaint’s constitutionality, and another petition last week urged the SC to compel the Senate to convene as an impeachment court.
Escudero clarified that the Senate would not prepare a direct response to the petition for mandamus. “We referred this matter to the Solicitor General’s Office, as they represent the government. The OSG will handle and respond to the case for the Senate,” he explained.
While the Senate legal team drafted an advisory for Escudero’s review, it will be forwarded to the OSG for consideration.
Escudero also confirmed separate petitions from Davao City councilors and Vice President Duterte herself for certiorari before the SC. He suggested the Senate’s recess may have been timely, allowing the SC to resolve these issues before the impeachment trial proceeds, avoiding further delays.
The Senate, Escudero reiterated, intends to continue fulfilling its constitutional duties unless the SC issues a restraining order or preliminary injunction.
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