THE spokesperson of the House of Representatives on Tuesday said that the Senate is constitutionally mandated to try and decide on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, regardless of whether or not the process stretches into the 20th Congress.
“Ang importante sa Kamara ngayon, masimulan ang impeachment trial. Ang nakalagay naman sa Konstitusyon ay to try and decide. Hindi naman sinabi doon kung anong Congress ang magde-decide,” said House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante during the daily House media briefing.
Abante emphasized that what matters now is that the Senate begins the trial process.
“So, we are waiting, the public is waiting, the country is waiting, not just the House of Representatives. So, we will see what will happen today and tomorrow,” she said.
She also addressed public criticism that the Senate may be stalling the process.
“Well, pagdating sa usapin ng dragging its feet, may kanyang-kanyang role ang House of Representatives at Senate ayon sa Constitution pagdating sa impeachment process,” Abante explained.
“Ang klaro na ginampanan ng House of Representatives ang kanyang tungkulin ayon sa Constitution, kasama dito ang pagtanggap ng reklamo to validate and verify the complaint on its form, substance and grounds,” she added.
“Na-transmit. ‘Yung sunod na hakbang ay para sa Senado naman sinasabi nga to try and decide forthwith.”
Abante pointed out that once the House has transmitted the impeachment articles, it is no longer within their jurisdiction to act.
“Wala na kaming sakop dun sa gagawin ng Senado. Ang nakalagay naman diyan kung ano yung inuutos ng Konstitusyon – hindi ng Kamara, hindi ng kung sino man, kung hindi ng Konstitusyon.”
Responding to Senate President Chiz Escudero’s suggestion that the House took too long to act, Abante said the act did its part.
“All these were done by the House of Representatives in a timely and decisive manner. Kung gaano katagal o kung gaano kabilis, hindi na ‘yan kasama sa kailangan alalahanin ng Senado,” she said.
She further explained that the House ensured due process within a reasonable timeline.
“Two months, so para sa akin sa pag-i-ensure na maayos yung proseso. But again, it’s relative, ‘di ba, ‘yung oras,” she said.
Abante also declined to comment on the arguments raised by VP Duterte’s defense team against the impeachment, saying it should not be used as a weapon against political opponents.
“I understand that there’s already a petition filed before the Supreme Court precisely kung ano ‘yung binabanggit ng defense team. I cannot comment on that,” she said.
She did, however, urge the Vice President’s legal team to raise their defenses in the proper venue.
“Siguro ‘yung mga defenses nila kailangan sa trial na nila i-present,” Abante said.
Commenting on statements from Sen. Robin Padilla and Sen. Bato dela Rosa raising concerns about national disunity, Abante insisted the trial must begin.
“Well ang impeachment trial provided ito ng Constitution merong mga dahilan para pagdaanan ito,” she said.
“Kung siguro unnecessary ang mga impeachment proceedings in all governments, dapat wala ito sa Constitution, di ba?” she added.
“So ako tingin ko kailangan munang masimulan at ang ating mga Senator-judges makinig dun sa paglahad ng mga ebidensya,” Abante said.
“Sa ngayon kailangan masimulan ang impeachment trial, mabigyan ng pagkakataon na mai-present ang mga ebidensya at meron din namang pagkakataon para masagot ito ng defense,” Abante added
About the Author
