For an impeachment trial ‘forthwith’

By Herbert Vego

ELECTION lawyer Romulo Macalintal is of the opinion that even when now on recess, the Senate acting as impeachment court may still proceed with the trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte rather than wait for the resumption of sessions on June 2, otherwise there would no longer be enough time to finish it before the 19^th Congress ends on June 28, 2025.

The 4^th impeachment complaint, which is a consolidation of the first three, charges Inday Sara with graft and corruption, plotting to assassinate President Marcos, involvement in extrajudicial killings and incitement to insurrection and public disorder.

Makalintal said in a radio interview that, as in all investigations of the 19^th Congress, an impeachment trial would be considered terminated upon its expiration and entry of the 20^th Congress in July. Failing in this, the succeeding 20^th Congress would have to refile and treat it as if for the first time.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, however, would rather not disturb the recessed Senate with an impeachment trial which could wait for June 2 when the recess and the May 12 election would have been over.

But there was also a time when he said that if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decides to call a special session of the Senate doubling as impeachment court, that could be done “forthwith” — which is defined in the dictionary as “immediate, without delay.”

Escudero’s alibi is that the House of Representatives had delayed the of transmittal of the impeachment complaint until deadline day or last session day last Wednesday, February 5.

By his own admission, however, the complaint reached the Senate and was received by its secretary general at 4:30 p.m.

“I don’t want to treat this as a special case,” Escudero said to justify his inaction, “because I don’t want to be criticized for rushing this issue.”

But there are senators who think it is not just a “special” but an urgent case. As Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel was saying in a radio interview, the Senate adjournment ought not be an excuse to refuse to conduct a trial. The Senate could have prepared to tackle the matter forthwith.

We heard the same opinion from former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who said that even President Marcos could legally call for a special session of the Senate.

Should Escudero insist on waiting until after the election, he would surely be suspected of a political motive that could either make or unmake candidates running for re-election or for different positions.

The re-electionist senators and the come-backing ones could win or lose depending on their leaning for or against VP Sara.

Methinks President Marcos would throw his weight to compel the senators to wear the robe. Take it from his congressman son Sandro (1st Dist.,Ilocos Norte), who’s first in the list of 240 congressmen who signed the final impeachment complaint.

Sandro’s two reasons for signing: the VP’s threat to behead the cadaver of his entombed “lolo,” the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and toss it to the West Philippine Sea; and her threat to assassinate his father (the incumbent President), his mother Liza and his uncle, Speaker Martin Romualdez.

It’s the hardest evidence to disprove; everybody has seen her saying it on TV.

-oOo-

MASS WEDDINGS GALORE

ILOILO City Mayor Jerry Treñas will once again wield his power to bond couples in love through a free mass wedding scheduled at the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Valentine’s day (Friday, February 14, 2025).

It reminds one of the same mass wedding in 2024, where 74 couples from Iloilo City exchanged vows.

The privilege is open to single “love birds” and live-in couples marrying for the first time. I am not aware if applications for inclusion are still available, but couples interested may visit the mayor’s office or phone-call to inquire.

The Valentine’s Day wedding is expected to surpass or to equate the number of participants in last year’s mass wedding, which saw 74 couples saying “I do.”

After officiating the ceremony, Mayor Treñas wished the newly-wed well: “Today marks a significant turning point as you become one, ready to raise a family and face future challenges together as husband and wife.”

Meanwhile, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) is also preparing to sponsor a mass wedding for its employees and their partners.  According to its president, Roel Zabala Castro, it will take place after Valentine’s Day.

Congratulations and best wishes!