Senate publishes impeach rules amendments

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is now officially authorized to elect a new presiding officer in an impeachment court before its scheduled convening next month following the publication yesterday of an amended set of rules designed to bypass the automatic assumption of the Senate president as presiding officer.

Published in newspapers of general circulation yesterday, Senate Resolution No. 48 amends Rule II of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials.

After 15 days, Gatchalian’s bloc could be cleared legally to implement the revised rules.

While the chief justice is constitutionally mandated to preside when the president of the Philippines is on trial, the Senate president historically presides over all other impeachment cases.

However, the newly published amendment establishes a crucial loophole, allowing the chamber to install a different leader at the rostrum through a simple floor vote.

The measure, adopted during the June 3 session that reorganized the Senate’s leadership, takes effect immediately upon its publication.

“The president of the Senate shall preside in all other cases of impeachment unless the Senate, by a majority vote of the members present, elects another senator as the presiding officer,” the amended rule states.

The resolution further directs that the chosen presiding officer “shall, for that purpose, be placed under the prescribed oath or affirmation by any person authorized by law to administer an oath.”

The immediate effectivity of the amended rules possibly clears a procedural hurdle for the impending trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, although Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s faction still maintains they have administrative control over the chamber.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bam Aquino said in an ANC interview that he is expecting another senator from Cayetano’s bloc to jump to their camp anytime to become the 13th vote.- .Delon Porcalla