House Panel Warns of Chaos If Sara Duterte Case Dismissed by Majority
MANILA, Philippines — House prosecution spokesperson Antonio Bucoy has issued a strong warning about the possible dismissal of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case by majority vote in the Senate impeachment court. Bucoy emphasized that such an outcome could trigger unrest and disorder.
“There might be chaos,” Bucoy stated during a press briefing, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. He stressed that the House prosecution team firmly believes in the impeachment process and the importance of upholding democratic procedures.
Concerns Over Public Reaction and Legal Recourse
Clarifying his earlier remarks, Bucoy explained, “What I meant was that this might not get accepted by the masses. That is one scenario. I did not say that there would be chaos.” He reiterated that the prosecution trusts the senator-judges to fulfill their constitutional duties with integrity.
However, if the impeachment court votes to dismiss the case against Duterte, the prosecution admits it cannot prevent that decision. Bucoy revealed their possible recourse: “Ang recourse namin later on pag nangyari yan ay maaaring umakyat kami sa Supreme Court.” He added in English, “Our recourse, in case it happens, is to raise it before the Supreme Court.”
Despite this, Bucoy hopes the senator-judges will act justly and decide based on their conscience and the evidence presented.
Upholding the Rule of Law Amid Impeachment Proceedings
Bucoy emphasized the critical role of the legal process in maintaining order. “We believe in the process. If we don’t believe in the process, there will be chaos,” he said. He further explained, “We are a democracy, we are governed by rules. We are governed by law, and if the law becomes ineffective, then there will be chaos. There should be order. That’s why laws are here, the rule of law is primordial.”
Earlier, Senate President Francis Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, confirmed that the body could dismiss the case against Vice President Duterte by a simple majority vote. Escudero also noted that any court member could initiate a motion to convict Duterte, which would similarly be decided by a vote.
The House prosecution team remains committed to the legal process and hopes for a fair and just outcome. They emphasize that the impeachment process must uphold the rule of law to avoid any disruption to democratic order.
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