Metro Manila, Philippines – House impeachment prosecutors may turn to the Supreme Court (SC) to seek guidance on Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.
The prosecution team believes the Senate should have begun litigation immediately after the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment in February. Senate President Chiz Escudero remained firm that the proceeding will start in July after the 20th Congress has heard the State of the Nation Address.
“This is a historic test of our institutions and of our commitment to the rule of law. We are determined to see this through – not out of political motivation, but out of our solemn constitutional duty,” said lead prosecutor and 4Ps party-list Rep. Nonoy Libanan on Thursday, March 27.
“Our constituents are demanding answers. It’s been nearly two months since the articles were filed. We cannot allow this to be buried under inaction or technical delay,” he added.
House prosecutors have filed a motion for writ of summons to the Senate President. Escudero rejected it, saying the upper chamber should have convened as an impeachment court first before asking Duterte to respond to the charges.
“When SP Chiz himself publicly stated that all preparatory steps could already begin, we acted on that cue. The issuance of a writ of summons is among the first preparatory steps in any impeachment trial,” Libanan said.
He said the Constitution states the trial should proceed “forthwith” and that the Senate does not need to be in legislative session to convene as an impeachment court.
Libanan said the House is awaiting Escudero’s formal communication before determining the next legal action, including raising it to the SC or filing an appeal.
With 215 complainants, Duterte was impeached amid her supposed confidential fund mismanagement and threats to the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., among others.
READ: ‘Kamote,’ ‘Mango,’ ‘Dodong gang’: More questionable OVP confidential fund payees bared
