Hit for delaying trial, Escudero accuses congressmen of blind obedience to Romualdez

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Some lawmakers push back against Escudero's statement, with Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas asking the Senate President not to divert the issue on whether the trial will proceed

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero accused congressmen of blind obedience to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as the impeachment trial-triggered word war intensifies between the two chambers of Congress.

Some House lawmakers have strongly urged the Senate to proceed with the trial.

“Some congressmen seem to be getting used to dictating to the Senate about what they want to happen in the impeachment. Well, if it is the job of some lawmakers to blindly follow Romualdez… that is not our job in the Senate. It is not my job either as Senate President,” Escudero said in Filipino on Wednesday, June 4.

Some lawmakers, however, insisted they are not blind followers of Romualdez.

“Makabayan is not subservient to the Speaker of the House. We all know that. Because Makabayan has independence,” Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas said. “Let’s not divert the issue to other matters, just answer the question. When will the impeachment trial be? Why hasn’t it started?”

“I do not think there is basis for what Senate President Chiz Escudero said,” Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Romualdez added.

Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano also said his vote to impeach Duterte was not Romualdez’s call.

“My vote on the impeachment is the vote of the second district of Manila. That was proven in the last election. I was elected again for a third term,” Valeriano added.

Escudero was at the receiving end of criticisms for rescheduling the reading of impeachment articles against Duterte on June 11, the final day of the Senate before it adjourns sine die. The decision hangs the fate of her trial in the balance.

The original endorsers of the impeachment complaints even asked Escudero if he was afraid of Duterte or protecting her.

Duterte was impeached on February on the grounds of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

Escudero said on Wednesday that the Senate did not criticize the House when it sat on the first three impeachment complaints for two months before the lower chamber finally approved a fourth complaint that was eventually transmitted to the Senate. – Rappler.com