Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte attends his pre-trial hearing online at The Hague, Netherlands on March 14, 2025. Salvador Medialdea (foreground), the executive secretary during Duterte’s administration, personally attended the proceedings at the International Criminal Court as the former president’s legal counsel. (Photo grab from ICC pre-trial)
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday dismissed speculations that the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte would have any bearing on the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the two issues are entirely separate.
“Those are independent incidents. I see no connection between them, and there is no reason for the Senate to delay its work because of what is happening in The Hague,” Escudero stated during a Senate briefing.
The Senate is set to begin impeachment proceedings against the Vice President on June 2, following the resumption of its session.
Former President Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 upon his arrival from Hong Kong with his family. He is currently detained at The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Escudero stressed that no legal grounds exist to postpone the impeachment trial due to Duterte’s ICC case or any protest actions related to it.
“There is no law stating that an impeachment process should be delayed due to ICC matters or protests. There is no basis for altering our planned schedule,” he clarified.
The Senate President reaffirmed that the impeachment timetable remains unchanged and will be finalized once the Senate reconvenes.
Previously, Escudero announced that the Senate will convene as an Impeachment Court on June 3, with senator judges taking their oaths as part of the proceedings.
