MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday dismissed calls from student groups and critics for him to inhibit from the coming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying fairness is not about having your side get its way.
“If their definition of fairness is getting me to take their side, then it’s not fairness,” Escudero told reporters in a chance interview following the unveiling of the Senate Legacy Wall.
“It’s clear what they want to happen – and just because I don’t pander to their wishes doesn’t mean I’m not fair,” he said. “Being fair means applying the rule evenly to everyone regardless who it is.”
Asked whether he would inhibit from the proceedings, Escudero replied: “I do not consider it a necessity nor (do) I consider it fair.”
He also rebuffed arguments that recusal would help restore public trust and institutional credibility, especially given the highly political nature of the trial.
Escudero made the remarks shortly after a group of student leaders and organizations in 24 colleges and universities sent a letter to the Senate President’s office asking him to inhibit from the trial.
They said the continued delay in the impeachment proceedings has not only “squandered the legitimacy of the Senate” but also exposed the “bias of its presiding officer.”
“If the Senate under Escudero still wishes to maintain its mandate to try this case without fear or favor, then the Senate president himself must take unprecedented action and recuse himself from the impeachment proceedings forthwith,” said Milo Basuel, national spokesman for the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan or SPARK.
Among the signatories were students from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Philippine Normal University, Adamson University, Bulacan State University, Cavite State University, West Visayas State University, Visayas State University and Rizal Technological University.
Asked to comment on insinuations that the Senate was deliberately delaying the proceedings, Escudero said, “it’s not our job to rush this.”
“Just because they want it done quick, we’ll have it rushed? We will do it in accordance with the process,” he added.
August 4 trial
Escudero said he would like the impeachment trial to begin on Aug.4, but this would have to be formally approved by his colleagues upon the resumption of session.
He said concerned parties would also have to be notified of the approved schedule before actual hearing could begin.
Pressed on whether he can assure the public that a trial would push through, Escudero said it would be “uncouth” to assume otherwise, emphasizing that a trial would proceed only “as dictated by law.”
Asked about issues on jurisdiction raised by some of his colleagues, Escudero said he has made his position clear that he is in favor of a trial, although “the position of the majority in the Senate might turn out to be different if it’s subjected to a vote.”
“I’m in no position to say that the (Senate) majority is wrong, or what it’s up to. The Senate is a deliberative body and we settle everything by a vote. That is clear to everyone concerned especially those covering the Senate,” he added.
The Senate is under fire for what legal experts and critics believe is its foot dragging on the impeachment trial issue.
Earlier, the impeachment court turned Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s motion to dismiss the case into a motion to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives, to get the latter’s certification that it did not violate the one-year ban on the filing of impeachment cases.
The impeachment court also wants to get the 20th Congress’ commitment to take on the case.
The House has filed a certification that it did not violate any constitutional rule, but stressed it would only be able to secure a commitment from the 20th Congress upon the start of session on July 28.
This means no court action will take place until after July 28, according to Escudero and impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol.