Senate President Chiz Escudero answers questions from the media during a press conference at a restaurant in Quezon City on February 19, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will not be delayed or affected should the International Criminal Court order the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa to face trial, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.

"Wala akong nakikita ang rason para madelay yun. At least hindi siya malelate," Escudero said, referring to dela Rosa in case he decides to seek sanctuary at the Senate premises.  

Escudero has also said dela Rosa cannot be arrested in the Senate's premises.

The trial of the vice-president's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, should also have no impact on the impeachment trial.

"Wala ako nakikitang posibleng epekto nito. Kung hindi, magandang ihalintulad. Sa dami na nagmamadali, sa dami na nangungulit at nanguurat ang kaugnay dito," said Escudero.

"Kung isipin ninyo, yung pagdinig kay dating Pangulong Duterte, sinet ng September 23, anim na buwan matapos masimulan. At kung iisipin nyo, nakadetine pa. Pero aabutin pa rin ng anim na buwan. Ni wala silang recess. Pwede nilang iset 'yan anytime. Pero minabuti nilang magkaroon ng ganong kahabang preparasyon. Hindi lamang sila, pero magkabilang paning kaugnay sa kasong ito," he added.

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Escudero points out that the impeachment trial may be almost over by the time the former leader's ICC trial begins.

"Ang sinabi ko sa inyo, kung masusunod yung mga pre-trial arrangements, mas magiging mabilis yung pagdinig and hopefully bago kami mag-recess sa loob ng tatlong buwan ay kaya nang tapusin yung impeachment trial," he said.

"So kung September 23 yung trial, halos yung panahon yun," he said. "Pero wala namang ugnayan yun whether nagsabay, hindi nagsabay. Wala namang nakasulat na batas na bawal magsabay."

"Kung busy halimbawa si Vice President Duterte bilang isa sa mga abogado ng kanyang ama, hindi naman nga siya required mag-attend ng impeachment trial sa Senado."

Escudero does not see any legal impediment in the Philippines for the vice-president to be her father's lawyer at the ICC. The younger Duterte previously said she is only talking to the lawyers of her father.

The Senate chief maintained that the impeachment trial of the vice president is totally unrelated to the ICC trial of her father.

"Wala sa batas na ipagpapaliban namin ang impeachment dahil may ICC. Wala sa batas na ipagpapaliban namin ng impeachment dahil may kilos protesta. Walang ganong basehan para magbago anumang ninanais o direction ng schedule na nais naming tahakin sa ngayon," he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate is set to implement the existing impeachment rules to the trial of the Vice President to a large extent, according to Escudero. They have also limited amendments to the rules they can accommodate.