Escudero to colleagues: Steer clear of VP Duterte impeachment talks

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero  (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis  Escudero on Wednesday reminded his colleague to refrain from talking about the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte until it reaches the upper chamber.

Escudero made the reaction when asked about Vice President Duterte’s claim that her possible impeachment is “openly discussed” in the House of Representatives.

“Walang pag-uusap sa kaugnay sa Senado diyan at anumang pag-uusap ukol sa impeachment ay kikitilin ko sa Senado dahil anumang impeachment yan, uupo na makakarating sa Senado, uupo kami bilang jury at jurors ika nga para husgahan ‘yan,” Escudero said.

(There are no talks in the Senate of that and any talks about impeachment, I will block in the Senate since any kind of impeachment will arrive in the Senate, and we will serve as the jury and jurors, so to speak, to execute judgment.)

“Kaya marapat sa kada Senator na wag manghimasok sa anumang usapin ng impeachment at wag pakialaman ang anumang usapin ng impeachment hanggat ‘yan ay di nakakarating sa Senado,” he added.

(So it’s incumbent upon Senators not to involve themselves with talks of impeachment and not to interfere with talks of impeachment if they have not reached the Senate.)

Vice President Duterte said her “friends” in the House of Representatives informed her of impeachment talks. 

“Kasi meron pa naman kaming mga kaibigan sa loob e na hindi lang nagsasalita dahil takot daw sila. Sinasabi nila, it’s openly discussed, yung impeachment,” the vice president said in an interview in the Senate.

(Because we still have friends inside who are not just talking because they are afraid. They said the impeachment issue is being openly discussed.)

House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, however,  said there was no mention of impeachment of Duterte during the latest meeting of the lower chamber’s leaders.

Vice President Duterte resigned as education secretary in June that took effect in July, after which she was replaced by then Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

This move marked the rift between her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration she started to criticize after her resignation.