Senate President Francis Escudero said that the plenary gets to decide on the matters regarding impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte following the postponement of the presentation of Articles of Impeachment to June 11 from June 2 .

" This can be voted by the plenary of the 19th Congress but whatever we decide, the 20th Congress cannot be bound. So there could be a different view by the 20th Congress. For example, the 19th Congress can say this (impeachment) can cross over to the 20th Congress, but the 20th Congress may decide that it cannot cross over and they will dismiss it,'' said Escudero in a press briefing Monday morning.

In the Senate plenary on Monday afternoon, Escudero told Senator Koko Pimentel in response on his inquiry on the basis of the initial suggested calendar for the impeachment against Duterte which was based on the impeachment rules and is subject to "plenary approval when we resume because we were already on recess at that time"

"The second notice sent by this representation was made also while we were on recess and I also stated that it was subject to plenary approval and or reversal as the case may be given the load that we need to take up after the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) meeting", Escudero added.

It can be recalled that last week, the Senate postponed the presentation of Articles of Impeachment against Duterte to June 11 from June 2, for them to prioritize the 12 important bills the Congress has committed to pass before the end of the 19th Congress on June 13.

When asked whether the directive to adjust the schedule was from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Escudero said "No, it did not".

"I was not even able to tell Martin (Romualdez), the (House) Speaker, about that. He found out through the letter that I sent him", Escudero said.

Escudero said that the postponement of the presentation of Articles of Impeachment " will not benefit anyone, nor will it harm anyone ... all we have gained from this is more time to do what our job really is, which is to pass significant legislation and law".

With only six plenary sessions remaining before the 19th Congress adjourns, Escudero stated that the full trial, if pursued, would be handled by the 20th Congress when it convenes on July 29, a day after the new Congress opens.

Based on the proposed schedule, the oath-taking of newly elected senator-judges before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will take place on July 29 at 9 am, followed by a plenary session in the afternoon. The trial proper will commence on July 30 from 9 am until 2 pm.

However, Escudero added that the 19th Congress cannot bind the 20th Congress regarding impeachment matters as the "20th Congress has to decide again either by an affirmative vote or by their silence and acquiescence "

The 20th Congress is set to open session on July 28, the day of the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Before the SONA, both Houses of Congress will convene and elect their leaders. Marie Manalili/DMS