Senate President Francis Escudero, on Monday, advised the members of the upper chamber not to share their opinions on the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives.
Escudero emphasized that publicly commenting on the issue could be the beginning of undermining accountability among the government’s highest officials.
“I reiterate my call to my colleagues in the Senate to refrain from making any public comments or statements regarding the allegations in the complaint’s articles of impeachment,” he said.
“Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public’s trust in the Senate as an institution,” Escudero stressed.
He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to fulfilling its duties with integrity and impartiality.
“This is what justice requires. This is what our people demand,” he said.
“The Senate stands ready to fulfill its constitutional mandate with integrity and impartiality while upholding the national interest,” the Senate president added.