Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Faces Hurdles
MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing search for accountability in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte must not be overshadowed by technical debates, said Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Wednesday. The key phrase “Sara Duterte impeachment trial” highlights the urgency of pushing forward despite procedural delays.
During a press briefing, Acidre addressed concerns about certifications requested by the Senate, acting as the impeachment court, from the House of Representatives regarding the articles of impeachment. These certifications have stalled the Sara Duterte impeachment trial, raising questions about constitutional limits and jurisdiction.
Constitutional Concerns Stall Proceedings
The trial hit a roadblock when the Senate returned the impeachment articles to the House due to concerns. First, questions arose whether the one-impeachment-per-year rule for officials was violated. Second, doubts surfaced about whether the 20th Congress’ authority was infringed upon by actions taken in the 19th Congress.
“My opinion is, my personal opinion is, anything we’ve done in the 19th (Congress) cannot also be negated by the 20th. Kasi the fact of the matter remains that the Vice President has been impeached,” Acidre told reporters. Despite the procedural issues, he stressed the importance of focusing on the substance of the allegations rather than technicalities.
Concerns Over Technicalities Overshadow Accountability
Acidre expressed concern that discussions on procedural technicalities might drown out the public’s call for clarity and accountability regarding the allegations against the country’s second-highest official. “Para sa akin, ang tanging alalahanin ko lang sa proseso ay baka matabunan ang panawagan natin para sa kaliwanagan at pananagutan tungkol sa mga paratang laban sa ating Pangalawang Pangulo dahil sa mga teknikalidad,” he said.
He believes that if the Senate had concerns about the impeachment process, these could have been addressed during the trial itself, allowing the House to respond accordingly. “We know that if there is a call to address issues, if there is a different perspective or concerns from the Senate, it could have been raised better in the course of the trial… that would have afforded also the House to present,” he added.
Delays Hurt Public Interest and Transparency
Acidre warned that the prolonged delay in the impeachment trial ultimately harms the people. “The people are at the losing end with these talks. The people should know matters related to the case already. We should have proceeded with the questions, with what is the truth behind the use of confidential funds and the other allegations in the articles of impeachment,” he stressed.
Vice President Duterte was impeached on February 5 after 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint citing misuse of confidential funds, threats to officials, and other constitutional violations. The articles were immediately sent to the Senate as mandated by the 1987 Constitution, which requires a trial to begin once one-third of House members endorse the complaint.
Senate Delays and Congressional Transitions Impact Trial
Despite this, the formal trial has yet to start. The articles were not brought up before the Senate plenary prior to Congress’s break for the midterm elections. Initially scheduled for June 2, the presentation was moved to June 11, the last session day of the 19th Congress.
Amid rumors of possible motions to dismiss the impeachment articles, the Senate convened as an impeachment court on June 10 but decided to send the articles back to the House due to constitutional concerns. Lawmakers questioned how the House could comply with Senate requests requiring consensus from the 20th Congress, which will only convene on July 28, just before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address.
Next Steps and Public Expectation
The transition between the 19th and 20th Congresses complicates the process, leaving the impeachment trial in limbo. Acidre hopes that despite these hurdles, the pursuit of accountability remains the priority and that the trial proceeds without undue delays.
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