Senate impeachment court powers face constitutional limits
House prosecution panel spokesman lawyer Antonio Bucoy firmly disagrees with Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero’s claim that the Senate impeachment court has unlimited authority. Bucoy emphasized that the Senate impeachment court powers are explicitly defined by the 1987 Constitution.
“Hindi po pwedeng bardagulan ito. Hindi pwede na kung ano yung gusto, yun ang gagawin. May limitasyon,” Bucoy said, underscoring that the process cannot be a free-for-all where anything goes.
Escudero, who presides over the Senate impeachment court, stated, “Walang limitasyon ang impeachment court kaugnay ng pwede o hindi namin pwedeng pagpasyahan,” suggesting the court can decide without boundaries.
Constitutional and procedural limits govern court actions
In response, Bucoy clarified, “Ang limitasyon ay ang ating Saligang Batas at ang kanilang sariling impeachment rules. Hindi ho pwedeng porke you’re sui generis, pwedeng gawin ang lahat ng gusto mo.” He stressed that uniqueness does not grant unlimited power.
He further explained that any impeachment rules contradicting the Constitution are invalid. “Kung yung impeachment rules po ay hindi alinsunod sa Saligang Batas, hindi rin ho uubra yun. So lalo na doon sa kanyang statement na kaya niyang gawin, kaya nilang ,mag-order ng kahit na ano, mali po iyon.”
Bucoy highlighted that all procedures must strictly follow the parameters set by the Charter.
Distinct roles of Constitution articles clarify impeachment scope
“Kung inyong tutunghayan, nakahiwalay po yung article 11 dun sa article 6. Article 6 po, tungkol sa trabaho ng paggawa ng batas. Yung article 11 is for accountability. Very specific yung provision ng accountability. Very specific what the powers are,” he noted. This distinction makes clear the limited and defined powers of the impeachment court.
Despite the House of Representatives submitting the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate more than four months ago, the senators sitting as an impeachment court have yet to begin hearings.
The debate over the scope and limits of the Senate impeachment court powers continues to shape the unfolding political process. Both legal experts and lawmakers await further developments as the case progresses.
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