Metro Manila, Philippines – The impeachment hearings against Vice President Sara Duterte will proceed in the absence of a stay order from the Supreme Court, House Speaker Bojie Dy said on Wednesday, April 8.
In a statement, Dy said the House respects the “court and its processes” and “defers to its authority on matters properly brought before it.”
The court consolidated the petitions of Duterte and her allies seeking to stop the impeachment proceedings over supposed constitutional violations.
READ: Duterte turns to SC again to stop impeachment proceedings
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“The proceedings are part of the constitutional process of accountability, guided by facts, evidence, and the rule of law,” Dy said.
He added that the justice committee will continue the hearing in line with the Constitution and impeachment rules and that all parties will be heard.
On Wednesday, April 8, the court ordered complainants and the Congress to respond to the petitions challenging the Duterte impeachment within 10 days – which means, any ruling might not be out by April 14, the next scheduled hearing.
‘Coward, evasive’
Meanwhile, a number of lawmakers slammed Duterte’s move to turn again to the SC, calling it a desperate attempt to evade accountability.
“Akala siguro nila ‘yung SC ay Sara’s court na pwede nila laging takbuhan para pagtakpan ang kaduwagan at pagtakas sa pananagutan,” Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, endorser of the impeachment complaint against the vice president, said.
[Translation: They probably think the SC is Sara’s court that they can always run to, to cover up their cowardice and avoid accountability.]
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said Duterte’s petition showed that she has no intentions to face the House proceedings.
“Ang vice president na gipit, sa Supreme Court, kumakapit,” he said.
[Translation: The vice president in a tight spot clings to the Supreme Court.]
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, justice panel member, called Duterte’s move as a deception and a lie, while hitting some arguments of her petition.
Duterte slammed the referral process of the complaints, saying there was no public deliberations on the ouster bids for it to reach the justice panel.
“Hindi totoo na walang valid referral kasi nakita ko ng publiko, nakita po ng bayan, ang plenaryo po mismo ng Kongreso ang nag-refer sa House justice committee noon pong apat na impeachment complaints,” Ridon said.
[Translation: It is not true that there was no valid referral, because the public saw it, the people saw it – the plenary of Congress itself referred the four impeachment complaints to the House justice committee.]
Duterte is facing two ouster bids for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and high crimes, among others over allegations of fund misuse, threats to the first family, and unexplained wealth.
