BAYAN Muna Representative Atty. Neri Colmenares on Monday submitted a position paper to the Senate, urging it to fast-track the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Colmenares argued that the Senate could convene a special session, similar to what it did when the Japanese Prime Minister visited the Philippines last year.

“Kung merong mga rules that allows them to convene a special session just to convene the impeachment court,” said Colmenares.

ACCOUNTABILITY CALL. Bayan Muna representatives Neri Javier Colmenares and Carlos Zarate criticize former President Rodrigo Duterte's absence at a House Quad Committee hearing, expressing disappointment over his lack of accountability. The lawmakers, along with 50 other legal experts, gathered in Cagayan de Oro City to address environmental issues under a Supreme Court mandate. File photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

Colmenares emphasized that the impeachment court operates separately from the legislative body and is not bound by the legislative calendar.

“So, yong point namin, ke may recess yan o wala, ang impeachment court is different from the legislature, its not suppose to issue or draft laws. It is suppose to hold an impeachment trial. So, pwede nilang gawin anytime kasi ibang body ang impeachment court,” Colmenares explained.

He urged the Senate to consider their position paper, reiterating that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have the authority to call a special session.

Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte-Carpio today filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality and validity of the impeachment proceedings in the lower house.

Her legal team argued that under Section 3, Article XI of the Constitution, no official should face impeachment more than once a year. They claim that the House of Representatives violated this provision by conducting four impeachment proceedings against her.