Lawmakers urge immediate start to VP Duterte impeachment trial

Lawmakers are urging for an immediate start to Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, arguing that a trial beginning on July 30 would violate the constitutional mandate of "forthwith."

ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro stated that Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has violated the Constitution by proposing to begin the trial on July 30, more than five months since the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate.

Castro emphasized that the Senate should have tackled the impeachment immediately, as stated by constitutionalists and law experts.

Escudero, who has ordered Senate offices to prepare for the impeachment trial, previously stated that the Senate did not take up the Articles of Impeachment on Feb. 5 due to a lack of advance notice.

He also mentioned that he would not be pressured to "bend" the law and call for a special session of the Senate, as he is not authorized to do so for impeachment proceedings.