Posts on TikTok and Facebook (FB) claimed that the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will no longer continue. This is not true.
On June 10, an FB user posted a video clip of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero saying, in part:
“Hindi po ako papayag na mangyari at gawin ‘yan dahil lamang gusto nila at nagmamadali sila. Sinabi ko na sa simula pa lang na ang impeachment process na ito… hindi ako makikinig, susunod o magpapadala sa sinumang pabor sa impeachment at ayaw kay Vice President Duterte.“
(I will not allow that to happen nor let them do that just because they want to and they are in a hurry. I have said from the very beginning of this impeachment process… I will not listen, follow or be swayed by anyone who is in favor of impeachment and does not like Vice President Duterte.)
The caption of the post read: “Wala ng impeachment na magaganap (The impeachment will no longer happen).”
This needs context. The circulating posts cut crucial portions of Escudero’s speech during the June 9 plenary session of the Senate. His full statement pertains to the possibility of proceeding with the trial while the Senate is in recess and not about the dismissal or termination of Duterte’s impeachment case.
He said he will not be swayed by the demands of both Duterte’s critics and supporters.
His statement was as follows:
“Hindi ako makikinig, susunod o magpapadala sa sinumang pabor sa impeachment at ayaw kay Vice President Duterte. Hindi ako magpapadala sa ayaw sa impeachment at gusto si Vice President Duterte. Trabaho ko bilang taga-pangulo ng Senado, hindi nga lang ako, trabaho nating lahat na maging pantay at parehas sa ating pagtingin.”
(I will not give in to those who do not want the impeachment and supports Vice President Duterte. It is my job as Senate President, not just me, it is the job of all of us to be fair and equal in viewing this matter.)
On the evening of June 10, the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, voted 18-5 without abstentions to return the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte to the House of Representatives.
The motion filed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano specified that returning the articles does not mean the case is dismissed or terminated. The same night, the impeachment court issued a writ of summons to Duterte.
“The court therefore, having been organized, and the articles of impeachment having been referred thereto, hereby issues the writ of summons to Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, who is directed to file her answer within a non-extendable period of 10 days from receipt of the summons and the copy of the complaint,” Escudero, acting as the presiding officer, said.
In a press briefing on June 11, Escudero maintained that due to time constraints, the 19th Congress can only issue summons. The actual trial can commence in the 20th Congress once it opens on July 28.
The videos circulated on social media before and after the senators of the 19th Congress took their oath as judges and convened as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial.
Posted by FB and TikTok users, the video garnered around 73,198 likes and reactions, 4216 comments and 2,757 shares.
