A member of the House prosecution panel underscored that early summons would allow both parties in the impeachment proceedings to prepare more thoroughly.

According to House Prosecutor and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz R. Defensor, the Senate should issue a writ of summons to Vice President Sara Duterte now to speed up the impeachment process.

This will also help both sides to complete their pleadings before the trial formally begins in June,

“We want them to issue it now. It will expedite the process lalo na pagdating sa mga pleadings na pina-file,” Defensor said.

The House panel earlier filed a motion before the Senate, which is sitting as an Impeachment Court, seeking the issuance of a writ of summons to compel the Vice President to respond to the verified impeachment complaint transmitted by the House.

The move is anchored on Rule 7 of the Senate Rules of Impeachment, which provides a non-extendible 10-day deadline for the impeached official to file an answer.

“We have seen how the Senate works very hard. Even during their break, they can conduct committee hearings. Some of them even during the campaign period are still working,” Defensor said.

“And remember that if you conduct a legislative inquiry, it should be in aid of legislation. So somehow, the Senate is functioning, and we do not see any reason why we should delay an impeachment of a Vice President that involves national interests of utmost national significance,” he added.

Defensor explained that the Senate can already act even if it has not formally convened as an Impeachment Court.

“We have existing Senate impeachment rules as of today because Senate Resolution No. 39, which is the Senate Rules on Impeachment that has been previously approved and published still subsists. It’s still in operation,” Defensor pointed out.

“So, if the Senate President as presiding judge will recognize that the rules are still valid, he can issue that summons against the Vice President so she can answer,” Defensor explained.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas