Lawmakers critique Escudero over VP Duterte impeachment session refusal

Makabayan lawmakers criticized Senate President Francis Escudero's refusal to recognize Vice President Sara Duterte's pending impeachment trial as 'special' enough for a special session on Monday.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel argue that Escudero's stance is legally unsound and shields Vice President Duterte from accountability.

Castro emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional process designed to hold high officials accountable for their actions.

Brosas questioned how Escudero could consider the impeachment of the second highest official as not special, suggesting it protects Duterte from facing serious allegations.

Manuel noted that every day of delay benefits the Duterte camp and undermines democratic institutions.

The lawmakers reiterated their call for President Marcos to immediately convene a special session to constitute an impeachment court, emphasizing the need for accountability and rejecting any attempt to diminish the significance of the process.