With the Senate adjourning without taking action on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, former Senate President Franklin Drilon believes there is still a way forward—but it requires a bold move from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Drilon Argues Marcos Has the Authority to Call a Special Session
Drilon suggested that Marcos could call a special session of Congress, allowing the Senate to take up the impeachment articles and refer them to the impeachment court. Without this step, the process remains stalled.
“Remedy: the President can call Congress to a Special Session for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty of acting as an impeachment court to try the VP,” Drilon said in a text message.
He further asserted that the President has unquestionable authority over such a decision. “Calling Congress to a Special Session to tackle the impeachment complaint is the sole prerogative of the President which cannot be questioned, not even by the Supreme Court,” he added.
Escudero Disputes the Use of a Special Session for Impeachment
However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has a different stance. While he acknowledged that Marcos has the power to summon lawmakers for a special session, he argued that the purpose of such a move is limited to urgent legislation—not to initiate an impeachment trial.
“Yes, that can happen. But as far as I know, calling a special session is not meant for convening an impeachment court (Oo, pwedeng mangyari yun. Pero ang pagpapatawag ng special session, sa aking pagkakaalam ay hindi para mag-convene ng impeachment court),” Escudero said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
For Escudero, special sessions exist for pressing matters that require immediate legislative action.
“As far as I know, calling a special session is meant for important matters and bills that need to be passed (Sa aking pagkakaalam ay ang pagtatawag ng special session ay para sa mahahalagang bagay at panukalang batas na kailangang ipasa.)”
He also questioned whether the Constitution allows the use of a special session for impeachment proceedings, though he acknowledged that it remains an open issue.
“According to our Constitution, this is not one of or perhaps not covered by that provision regarding the special session, but we will address it when it comes (Ayon sa ating Saligang Batas, hindi ito isa o saklaw marahil nung probisyong yun kaugnay ng special session pero haharapin namin ‘yun pag nandyan).”
The impeachment complaint against Duterte carries serious allegations, including claims that she was involved in a plot to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The complaint also accuses her of failing to fully disclose her assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
