Senate Impeachment Court’s Decision Sparks Controversy
Militant lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have condemned the recent decision of the Senate impeachment court to return Vice President Sara Duterte’s articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives. They called this move unprecedented, unconstitutional, and dangerous, highlighting its threat to the integrity of the impeachment process.
“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, vehemently condemn the Senate impeachment court’s unprecedented and unconstitutional decision to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives,” said ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel in a joint statement. This key event, described as the Senate impeachment court’s controversial action, has stirred deep concerns about constitutional violations.
Legal Experts and Lawmakers Criticize Senate Impeachment Court
The impeachment court, led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, convened to discuss the complaint against Vice President Duterte. However, with an 18-5 vote, the senators decided to return the seven articles of impeachment back to the House for certification. The reason given was to verify compliance with the one-impeachment-case-per-year rule. Notably, the court neither dismissed nor terminated the case.
“Ang ginawa ng Senado ay walang kapantay na paglabag sa ating Saligang Batas. Hindi pwedeng ibalik sa Kamara ang mga artikulo ng impeachment dahil tapos na ang papel namin dito. Ang responsibilidad ng Senado ay husgahan ang kaso, hindi ibalik ito. Bilang co-equal na kamara, wala itong karapatang pagpaliwanagin ang Kongreso sa prosesong humantong sa impeachment ng Bise Presidente,” Castro emphasized.
The Constitution clearly states that once the House impeaches and transmits the articles, the Senate’s role is to conduct the trial, not return the articles as if they were defective. Brosas added, “This unconstitutional maneuver will only further inflame the burgeoning outrage of the Filipino people who are already witnessing the systematic erosion of democratic processes under this administration.”
Implications for Democratic Processes
Makabayan representatives argue that the Senate’s action undermines the House’s constitutional authority and denies Filipinos their right to proper justice. “Ang mga mamamayang Pilipino ay hindi tanga. Nakikita nila kung paano ginagamit ang mga institusyon para protektahan ang mga corrupt na opisyal. Ang ganitong klaseng political maneuvering ay lalo lang magpapainit ng galit ng taumbayan,” Manuel remarked.
The bloc demands that the Senate fulfill its constitutional duty by proceeding with the impeachment trial. They insist the public deserves genuine accountability, not political games.
For more news and updates on Senate impeachment court, visit Filipinokami.com.
