Manila, June 3 -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the chamber would only be able to issue summons to Vice President Sara Duterte on June 11, as it has no more time to initiate trial proceedings before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.

"Ang pwede lang naman magawa ng 19th Congress ay mag-issue ng summons. Dahil sang-ayon sa aming rules, may sampung araw ang nasasakdal, si VP Sara, para sumagot (The only thing the 19th Congress can do is issue summons. Because according to our rules, the respondent, VP Sara, has 10 days to reply)," he said in a radio interview.

Escudero denied accusations that he was delaying the process to favor Duterte allies, stressing that the Senate is focused on passing urgent legislation such...