Pasay City, Philippines — In line with the looming impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, the House Prosecution team asked the Senate of the Philippines to mandate the respondent to answer the verified complaint for impeachment filed by the House of Representatives.
In a motion titled “Entry with Motion to Issue Summons” submitted by the House panel before the Senate on Tuesday, the prosecution team urged Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to issue a writ of summons to Duterte directing her to file her answer within 10 days from receipt.
The prosecutors noted the endorsement of the Verified Impeachment Complaints to the Senate on the 5th of February, that was signed by at least 1/3 of all the members of the House of Representatives.
Hence, in pursuant to Section 3, Paragraph 4 of article XI of the 1987 Constitution, the trial shall forthwith proceed, with Senate acting as the impeachment court.
Under the Rule VII of Resolution No.39 or the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, a writ of summons shall be issued to the impeached that will notify them to appear before the impeachment court and submit their response to the Impeachment Articles.
The motion was signed by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, and was filed along with 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V, and House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun.
Libanan is also the lead prosecutor of the trial.