Senate Warned Against Premature Vote on Impeachment Complaint
MANILA, Philippines — Voting to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte would be premature, local leaders noted, as the Senate must first consider the House of Representatives’ planned appeal of the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the complaint.
The House of Representatives expressed strong concern over reports suggesting the Senate impeachment court might proceed with a vote on the Supreme Court’s decision without waiting for the House prosecutors to exhaust all legal options. House spokesperson Princess Abante emphasized that the Supreme Court decision is not yet final and the House retains the right to file a motion for reconsideration.
“Sheer prudence,” Abante said, “dictates that the Senate allow the Supreme Court to hear the House in its Motion for Reconsideration.” The House has until August 11 to appeal the July 25 ruling, which declared the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte violated the one-year filing rule.
Concerns Over Due Process and Political Implications
Abante warned that any premature action, such as a Senate vote effectively ending the impeachment trial, could be seen as a disregard for due process. “Worse, it may be construed as a political shortcut that undermines the constitutional role of the House,” she added. She urged senators to exercise patience and allow the judicial process to unfold properly.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada recently shared that if senators had voted this week on proceeding with the impeachment trial, the majority would have opposed it. “The sentiments of most of my fellow senators are to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court,” he said.
During an all-senator caucus held days earlier, Estrada noted that 19 to 20 out of 24 senators expressed willingness to comply with the high court’s decision. The Senate is set to decide on August 6 whether to respect the ruling.
Potential Risks of Ignoring Supreme Court Ruling
Estrada warned that disregarding the Supreme Court’s decision could trigger a constitutional crisis and cause chaos within the government. Meanwhile, over 100 professors and lecturers from the University of the Philippines College of Law issued an open letter urging that any new rules or legal definitions about impeachment should apply only prospectively.
They highlighted that the Supreme Court’s decision risks imposing evidentiary and court-like procedures on Congress, permanently altering the nature of impeachment proceedings.
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