Lawmakers Support Supreme Court Reconsideration on Impeachment Complaint
Lawmakers have voiced strong backing for business groups urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its recent ruling on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. The call to review the decision highlights concerns about accountability and its broader impact.
On July 25, the Supreme Court declared the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. However, key business organizations, including the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Integrity Initiative, and Justice Reform Initiative, have jointly appealed for the court to reverse this ruling. They emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court resuming its role in upholding the Constitution and ensuring justice.
Economic and Political Repercussions Highlighted
The groups warned that the ruling’s dismissal of accountability could lead to significant economic consequences. “The impact is not only political; it’s also economic. When investor confidence wanes, when the cost of doing business rises, and when the supply chain struggles, it is ultimately the consumers—the people—who pay the price,” their statement said.
Amplifying this perspective, La Union Representative Paolo Ortega welcomed the business sector’s appeal, stressing that “when leading business groups warn that impunity is being institutionalized, the Court must listen. Transparency is non-negotiable, and accountability cannot be optional.” He urged the Supreme Court to seriously consider the motion for reconsideration and allow the impeachment case to proceed on its merits.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Manila Representative Joel Chua also expressed support, noting that the impeachment complaint centers on accountability. He pointed out that the court’s ruling has hindered efforts to hold public officials responsible, especially regarding the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by Vice President Duterte.
Supreme Court’s Ruling and Business Groups’ Counterarguments
The Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment complaint violated due process and the one-year bar on multiple petitions. It cited that the one-year prohibition began after the first three complaints were archived and deemed dismissed.
However, business groups challenged this interpretation, arguing that the one-year bar had not yet been triggered. Their statement clarified, “The court in its decision said that complaints not properly endorsed by a member of the House within a reasonable period, even if dismissed, do not trigger the one-year bar. Yet, in the same breath, the court deems inaction by the House as a dismissal that triggers the one-year bar.” This contradiction, they argued, undermines the fairness of the ruling.
Furthermore, the groups disputed the Supreme Court’s assertion that Vice President Duterte was denied due process, emphasizing that impeachment proceedings are neither criminal nor administrative in nature.
The Path Forward
With lawmakers and influential business groups united in their call, the pressure mounts for the Supreme Court to revisit its decision. The ongoing debate underscores the critical balance between legal procedure, political accountability, and economic stability in the country.
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