Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio has asked the Supreme Court to halt her impeachment trial at the Senate, arguing that Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero’s authority to preside over the impeachment court remains under constitutional challenge, BusinessWorld reported. The move seeks to suspend proceedings until the high court resolves jurisdictional questions surrounding the trial.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, presented video recordings they claim show Duterte-Carpio making threats against political opponents. The evidence was submitted to the Senate impeachment court as part of the case against the Vice-President, who faces charges of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has yet to issue a comment on the Vice-President’s petition. The impeachment trial, which began last month, continues to draw significant public attention as both sides prepare for a protracted legal battle.