MANILA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The possible dismissal of the impeachment case against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte grabbed local media attention on Wednesday, following the Senate's decision to delay the proceedings.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa has circulated a draft Senate resolution, seeking to block the impeachment trial in the upper chamber, The Manila Standard reported on Wednesday.
"The document made the rounds in the Senate on Wednesday, which resulted in conflicting accounts from senators who remain undecided as a legislative body on how to deal with the issue," the news outlet said.
The resolution reportedly said that the Senate's failure to act on the Articles of Impeachment within 100 days of transmittal effectively nullifies the case and calls for it to be declared "de facto dismissed."
The Philippine Star reported on Wednesday that Senate President Francis Escudero has "come under public scrutiny" after postponing the reading of the Articles of Impeachment to June 11, just two days before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.
Escudero denied allegations that the delay was an attempt to derail the impeachment process, telling reporters that the Senate is currently prioritizing the passage of urgent legislation before the session ends.
Escudero said the Senate operates under its own rules and timeline, stressing that it is not the Senate's job to follow the House of Representatives' wishes on the proceedings.
Senator Imee Marcos, who earlier said the efforts to remove Duterte had "already failed," also told local media on Wednesday that several draft resolutions are circulating within the Senate, aiming to dismiss the impeachment.
The Philippine House of Representatives impeached Duterte on Feb. 5.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment, with senators as judges. A conviction requires a two-thirds majority in the 24-member chamber. To avoid removal and disqualification from holding future office, Duterte must secure the support of at least nine senators.
Philippine Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro said on Wednesday that President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has nothing to do with the impeachment, saying it leaves the issue to the Senate.
"Whether the impeachment will proceed or not, the president has nothing to do with it. I hope they will not involve the president in whatever decision the Senate will make," Castro told a media briefing. ■