SENATE President Jude U. Hofschneider on Wednesday issued a memorandum stating that in the event that the motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment is not granted on all or any part by record vote, a hearing on the articles of impeachment will commence on Friday, May 13.
A Senate special session is scheduled for Friday, April 22, at 10 a.m. in the Senate chamber to act on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment.
Pursuant to Senate Impeachment Rule 17(a), if a record vote during the special session does not grant the motion, an impeachment hearing will take place on May 13 at 10 a.m. in the Senate Chamber.
Hofschneider said the impeachment hearing will continue day to day until its conclusion.
All legislative and other business of the Senate will be suspended until the conclusion of the impeachment hearing.
Torres will be required to be present during the hearing on the articles of impeachment.
In his memorandum on Wednesday, Hofschneider also noted that he had selected Rep. Corina L. Magofna on March 29, 2022 to act as the House impeachment prosecutor, pursuant to Senate Impeachment Rule 7(a)(2).
“Pursuant to Rep. Magofna’s failure to timely file an appearance on this matter and the House clerk’s failure to submit the House impeachment record in compliance with the Senate Impeachment Rule 9(e), the House impeachment prosecutor shall not be allowed to participate at the hearing on the articles of impeachment,” Hofschneider added.
Attorney Anthony H. Aguon and Office of the Governor legal counsel Gil Birnbrich represented the chief executive during Tuesday’s hearing.
Aguon urged the senators dismiss the articles of impeachment against his client, describing them as “careless, reckless and unlawful.”
Magofna, along with Reps. Tina Sablan, Leila Staffler, Celina R. Babauta, and Donald M. Manglona spoke before the senators during the public comment portion of the hearing. They reiterated that the governor should be convicted and that the Senate rules were unfair.
Supporters of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres set up camp outside the legislative building on Tuesday.
Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider presides over the hearing on Tuesday.
