MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has already fulfilled its initial responsibility regarding the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, as the chamber is mandated to forward the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
This is the stand of lawyer and House spokesperson Princess Abante, saying in a press briefing on Wednesday that the position of the House remains unchanged—that they have already complied with its duties in an impeachment trial, under the 1987 Constitution.
Abante said this amid questions on why it seems that the impeachment trial is still delayed, and claims that the House is also responsible for it.
“We saw what has happened that’s why our position remains the same, and we maintain the position of the House of Representatives—that the House has fulfilled its duty under the Constitution regarding the impeachment process. If there are things that have to be questioned, there are proper forums to do that,” Abante said.
READ: Sixteen lawyers defending Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial
“But we also see that there should be presumption of regularity from our government agencies, and the House of Representatives, they enjoy that presumption of regularity. Now it is up to the Senate as an impeachment court to proceed with the trial,” she added.
Abante noted that under the Constitution, specifically Article XI, Section 3(4), the House is required to submit the articles of impeachment so that the Senate can start trial “forthwith” should there be at least one-thirds of all House members who would file the complaints.
With 215 lawmakers filing and signing the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte last February 5, and as one-third of all 306 House members is 102, the said requirement was fulfilled.
Now, Abante said that the House’s role is to pursue the case and present evidence against Duterte.
READ: House refusal to accept Duterte lawyers’ entry may delay trial – Senate
“Ang role ng impeachment prosecution panel is to prosecute according to the pieces of evidence that we can present. We are ready to present. And if the trial will proceed, we will be presenting before the court,” she said.
“There shouldn’t be further delays because the Constitution stated that the trial should proceed forthwith […] Well in the end, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile always says that history will judge us according to our actions. And the public will judge us. The Filipino public is watching us and we should fulfill our jobs and duty to the people and the law,” she added.
Despite appeals to start Duterte’s trial, many fear that the proceedings are in limbo as the House and the Senate—which sits as an impeachment court—are in a deadlock.
Last June 10, after the impeachment court was convened, the 18 senator-judges eventually approved a motion to remand the articles to the House, due to alleged constitutional infirmities.
The House prosecution team however said that they will defer acceptance of the returned articles, and will file a motion seeking clarification instead as they one of the Senate’s requests—a certification from the 20th Congress that they will pursue the impeachment—cannot be complied with now.
However, there are also fears that the House’s recent actions may delay the trial too. On Monday night, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol confirmed that Duterte’s counsel has entered its appearance, with 16 lawyers defending her—including those from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm.
However, Tongol said that the House was furnished a copy, but there was a note saying that ‘Tender Copy refuse to receive.” In an interview with DZMM on Tuesday, Tongol said that the House’s refusal to accept the document may delay the impeachment proceedings.
Lawyer and prosecution panel spokesperson Antonio Bucoy meanwhile said that while he does not know the exact reason why the House did not receive a copy of the entry of appearance, this should not be an issue because the phrase “tender copy refuse to receive” indicates that it was as if the document was received.
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Duterte’s impeachment was hinged on different issues, like allegations of confidential fund misuse within her offices which were uncovered during the hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, and threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez assassinated. /cb
