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Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero reiterate that no amount of signatures gathered will persuade the Senate to call for the start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, while Congress session are on break.

In a text message to reporters, Escudero said no amount of signatures will amend the law nor convince me to violate it by convening the impeachment court during recess and without complying with the requisite conditions precedent.

“The law is not bendable and should not bow to anyone’s dictate simply because of their own desire, bias and timetable of wanting to rush the impeachment proceedings vs. VP Sara,” he added.

Escudero was reacting to the People’s Impeachment Movement (PIM) launched by various religious groups and sectoral representatives which seek to collect at least one million signatures until Pentecost Sunday on June 8 to show the public’s call for the Vice President’s immediate trial.

The group burned palm fronds symbolizing the Duterte family’s alleged seven sins, including greed for power and wealth, sloth, and anger.

Catholic priest Fr. Flavie Villanueva, one of the priests supporting victims and kin of the Duterte administration’s drug war, said the group believes that the impeachment trial should begin right away so that the Vice President would be made accountable for her alleged violations.

Escudero has been consistent that the Senate will only start the impeachment trial once the Senate is on session.

He set the tentative start of the trial on July 30.

Escudero earlier said that he will proceed with the impeachment trial in accordance with the law, not because of the public clamor.