Senate Impeachment Court Seeks House Certification
The Senate impeachment court has requested specific certifications from the House of Representatives to ensure a transparent and lawful process in the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. These certifications aim to uphold the integrity of the proceedings and should not be viewed as traps or obstacles.
Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol clarified that the certifications requested from the House are part of procedural safeguards to guarantee constitutional compliance. “The specific certifications being required from the House are all part of the effort to guarantee procedural legitimacy and to uphold constitutional standard,” Tongol said during a press briefing.
Concerns Over Trial Impediments Addressed
Earlier warnings from the House prosecution and Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno suggested that the impeachment court’s demands might obstruct the trial process. However, Tongol dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that the court is committed to a fair and transparent approach.
These certifications help prevent legal challenges or technical issues that could compromise the impeachment proceedings once they begin. “These certification processes help prevent any legal impediment or challenges or technicalities that could undermine the impeachment process once it starts rolling and to uphold the proceeding’s integrity,” Tongol explained.
Maintaining Court Independence and Public Trust
Tongol stressed that any disrespect or attempts to undermine the impeachment court threaten its independence and credibility, ultimately damaging public trust in the process. He urged all parties, including the public, to engage constructively and respectfully in the legal discussions without casting doubts on the court’s intentions.
“So, the disrespect for or attempts to undermine the impeachment court processes threaten the independence and credibility of the court and jeopardizes public trust in the process itself,” he added.
House Certifications Still Pending
On June 10, the impeachment court returned the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives. Along with this, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, requested the House to certify that it did not violate the Constitution by initiating more than one impeachment complaint in a year.
Additionally, the court asked the House to indicate whether the 20th Congress is willing and prepared to continue the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. The House has already submitted the first certification but has yet to provide the second one, which directly confirms its readiness to pursue the trial.
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