Senate President Francis Escudero assured the public that the Senate will continue pushing for key legislation even as it prepares to serve as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte during the 20th Congress.
Speaking at a media forum on Thursday, Escudero said the Senate remains committed to both its legislative duties and constitutional obligations, including the impeachment process.
“Buo ang paniniwala ko na sa kabila ng impeachment… meron pa rin kaming maipapasang mga makabuluhang panukalang batas. Kung maaayos namin yung ilang mga pre-trial proceedings, matatapos namin ito bago tuluyang tutukan ng Senado ang budget para sa taong 2026,” he said.
Escudero expressed hopes that the impeachment trial will conclude before Congress takes its October recess. After the break, the Senate is expected to focus on the 2026 national budget deliberations.
He emphasized that while the impeachment may dominate headlines, the Senate is also prioritizing crucial but less publicized bills, including those on mining fiscal reform, rightsizing the bureaucracy, judiciary fiscal independence, right-of-way acquisition, taxation of denatured alcohol and vapor products, and the Anti-POGO Bill.
When asked about the certainty of the impeachment trial proceeding, Escudero maintained that the Senate will fulfill its duty unless stopped by the courts.
“Kung hindi sang-ayon doon ang kampo ni VP Sara… may karapatan silang i-akyat yan sa Korte Suprema. Pero hangga’t walang temporary restraining order o kautusan mula sa Korte Suprema, gagawin ng Senado ang tungkulin nito,” he said.
VP Duterte’s camp has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the impeachment, but the Court has yet to issue a ruling.
