House serves motion requiring VP to answer impeachment complaint

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has received the House of Representatives’ motion, requesting the Senate to require VP Sara Duterte to respond to the verified complaint for impeachment 10 days from receipt.

In a statement, the lower chamber said the motion was already received by the Senate on March 24, while a copy of the document was also sent to OVP and was received by the office on Wednesday.

The motion was signed by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, a House prosecution panel member, along with 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, who is also a member of the prosecution panel, and House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V.

READ: VP Duterte can answer impeach raps in PH or via consulate – reps

According to the House prosecutors, the motion was pursuant to Resolution No. 39, dated March 23, 2011, which governs impeachment proceedings in the Senate.

“A writ of summons shall be issued to the person impeached, reciting or incorporating said articles, and notifying him/her to appear before the Senate upon a day and at a place to be fixed by the Senate and named in such writ, and to file his/her Answer to said articles of impeachment within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from receipt thereof,” the statement said, quoting Rule VII of the Senate’s Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials.

On February 27, Senate President Francis Escudero released the proposed calendar of the impeachment trial of Duterte, eyeing to start the actual judicial proceeding on July 30.

Below is the timeline of the proposed timeline:

• June 2 – Resumption of session and presentation of articles of impeachment
• June 3 – Convening of impeachment court and oathtaking of incumbent senator-judges
• June 4 – Issuance of summons
• June 14 to 24 – Reception of pleadings
• June 24 to July 25 – Pre-trial
• July 28 – Inaugural session of the Senate of the 20th Congress
• July 29 – Oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before sitting as an impeachment court
• July 30 – Start of trial

Escudero said the upper chamber hopes to adhere to the proposed schedule. He also said that considering the prosecution and defense would have ample time to prepare for the proceedings, it “would not tolerate any dilatory motion or pleading.”

The House of Representatives confirmed on February 5 that 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.