President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may call for a special session of Congress to address the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Special Session and Impeachment Proceedings
During the Kapihan sa Senado, Escudero clarified that while a special session can be convened, it is typically for urgent legislation rather than an impeachment trial.
“A special session is called for urgent matters and bills that need to be passed under our Constitution. It does not explicitly cover convening the impeachment court,” Escudero explained.
However, if a special session is called and the Senate secretariat is ready, Escudero said it could be included in the agenda, subject to a plenary vote.
Drilon, meanwhile, emphasized that the President has full authority to call Congress into a special session to act on the impeachment complaint, a decision that cannot be questioned even by the Supreme Court.
“Calling Congress to a Special Session for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty of acting as an impeachment court is the sole prerogative of the President,” Drilon said.
Senate Adjournment Delays Impeachment Case
The Senate adjourned on Wednesday without addressing the impeachment complaint, as the House of Representatives transmitted it just an hour before adjournment.
🔹 Congress is scheduled to resume sessions on June 2.
🔹 Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said a full review of impeachment documents was still incomplete when the session ended.
Grounds for Duterte’s Impeachment
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with 215 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The impeachment is based on allegations of:
✅ Culpable Violation of the Constitution
✅ Betrayal of Public Trust
✅ Graft and Corruption
✅ Other High Crimes
The case stems from a House Committee on Good Government investigation into confidential funds used by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education under Duterte’s leadership.