Manila, Philippines – Nababahala ang Malaking Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa balitang magbobotohan ngayong Lunes, Agosto 4, ang mga senador kung ipagpapatuloy pa ang impeachment trial matapos ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ang impeachment complaint laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte ay unconstitutional.
Nanawagan si House Spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante sa Senado na maghinay-hinay sa pagpapasiya dahil giit niya na ang desisyon aniya ng Korte Suprema ay hindi pa “final and executory.”
“Let us be clear: the decision of the Supreme Court is not yet final. We express deep concern over reports that the Senate may vote to act on the Supreme Court decision regarding the impeachment case against the Vice President—without waiting for the House of Representatives to exhaust its available legal remedies,” ani Abante.
Aniya, meron pang ihahain ang Kamara na Motion for Reconsideration ukol sa desisyong ito ng SC.
“The House of Representatives, as the body vested by the Constitution with the exclusive power and authority to initiate an impeachment, will file a Motion for Reconsideration soon. This is a matter of constitutional right and institutional integrity.”
Binigyang diin ni Abante na mahalaga aniyang mapayagan ng Senado na gumulong ang judicial process lalo pa at seryoso aniya ang usapin ukol sa possible factual errors na maaaring nakaimpluwensya sa desisyon ng SC.
“For issues as transcendental as this—and especially when there appear to be factual errors upon which the legal conclusions were drawn—sheer prudence dictates that the Senate allow the Supreme Court to hear the House in its Motion for Reconsideration.”
Kung magdedesisyon aniya ang mga senador ng maaga o wala sa panahon ay maaari itong mangahulugan ng pagbalewala sa “due process.”
“Any premature action—such as a Senate vote effectively abandoning the impeachment trial—may be interpreted as a disregard of due process. Worse, it may be construed as a political shortcut that undermines the constitutional role of the House,” dagdag pa ni Abante.
Giit pa ng tagapagsalita ng Kamara na kailangang mapanatili ang integidad ng impeachment process sa lahat ng sandali.
“This is not just about the House or the Senate. This is about protecting our democratic institutions and upholding the system of checks and balances embedded in our Constitution.” (Meliza Maluntag)
