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 — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday criticized a House lawmaker for pushing the Senate to hold the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and cited its ongoing panel hearing on another issue.

La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega had said that if the Senate can hold hearings during recess, it should also be prepared to hold trial.

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But Escudero said that Ortega should "study more" before calling out the Senate.

"I think Cong. Ortega should 'study pa more' regarding the difference between motu propio hearings that can be done when Congress is not in session and impeachment proceedings that cannot be commenced during recess," Escudero said in a text message.

"Unless of course he wants to sabotage their own impeachment case by adding yet another ground for the opposing party to question the proceedings by persisting on his (at best) shaky legal theory that impeachment can be commenced when the Senate is not in session," Escudero added.

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Escudero also noted that Speaker Martin Romualdez doesn't seem to have a problem with the Senate's actions, citing the Speaker's own statement.

"Perhaps he may also want to get clearer signals from the Speaker who is quite satisfied and has never questioned the Senate’s actions, preparations and preparedness,"

The Senate chief reiterated his past advice for congressmen to just focus on their own preparations before the start of the trial, which Escudero said may be held in July.

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"Again, may I advise him and his other co-prosecutors to instead make the most out of this period and study/build their case because when we start, we will not allow any delays whatsoever," Escudero said.

Duterte is facing a Senate trial on charges of "violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes".

Sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate are needed to deliver a conviction that would bar her from public office, including a presidential run she says she is "seriously considering".

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