Former Senate President Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. can call Congress to a special session to allow the Senate to convene as an impeachment court, former Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Thursday.
Drilon saw this as the “remedy” to the current situation where the Senate can no longer act on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte since it adjourned on Wednesday without including it in its agenda.
The Senate, under its rules, must include the Articles of Impeachment in its agenda and refer the same to the impeachment court.
After the referral, the Senate, as an impeachment court, “can act independently of the Senate as a legislative body,” Drilon pointed out in a text message.
“Remedy: the President can call Congress to a Special Session for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty of acting as an impeachment court to try the VP,” he said.
“Calling Congress to a Special Session to tackle the impeachment complaint is the sole prerogative of the President which cannot be questioned, not even by the Supreme Court,” the former Senate chief added.
His opinion, however, ran contrary to the opinion of incumbent Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
While the President may call a special session, Escudero believes it is not for the convening of an impeachment court.
“Oo, pwedeng mangyari yun. Pero ang pagpapatawag ng special session, sa aking pagkakaalam ay hindi para mag convene ng impeachment court,” he said at the regular Kapuhan sa Senado.
(Yes, that can happen. But the calling of a special session, as far as I know, is not to convene an impeachment court.)
“Sa aking pagkakaalam ay ang pagtatawag ng special session ay para sa mahahalagang bagay at panukalang batas na kailangang ipasa.”
(As far as I know, the calling of a special session is for important things and bills that need to be passed.)
“Ayun sa ating Saligang Batas, hindi ito isa o saklaw marahil nung probisyong yun kaugnay ng special session pero haharapin namin yun pag nandyan,” Escudero further explained.
(According to our Constitution, this is not one or maybe covered by that provision related to the special session, but we will deal with it when it is there.)
Duterete has been accused of Culpable violation of the Constitution, Betrayal of Public Trust, Graft and Corruption, and other High Crimes in the impeachment complaint.
Among the allegations mentioned in the complaint include her alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez and her alleged failure to disclose all her properties in her statement of assets, and net worth.