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Senate to review impeachment rules first: Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Wednesday, February 6, 2025, clarifies that the Senate could not convene as an impeachment court during recess to hear the complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte transmitted by the House of Representatives late Wednesday afternoon. During the Kapihan sa Senado media briefing, Escudero said the Senate could not be accused of sitting on the complaint which was filed on the last session day. He recalled that the Senate convened as an impeachment court in January 2001, two months after the House of Representatives impeached then President Joseph Estrada in November, 2000. The Senate leader stressed that the upper chamber would still have to review the rules and procedures to be followed by the impeachment court; the Senate secretariat has to study the articles of impeachment, such as its veracity and the authenticity of the signatures of the complainants; convene the impeachment court and take the oath of senator-judges only during the congressional session. The Impeachment trial, however, may proceed even during the recess, he added. “No. Legally, it (the impeachment trial) cannot be done. Again, as I’ve said, because the impeachment court was not convened,” said Escudero when asked if it’s possible for the impeachment trial to be conducted during the break. The session adjourned until June 2, 2025 for election campaign. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)