Metro Manila, Philippines – A House leader pushed back against pronouncements suggesting that the Senate minority could block the convening of the impeachment court once the articles of impeachment are transmitted to the chamber.
Earlier this week, Senator Robin Padilla hinted that the minority could oppose the convening, while Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said such a motion would be put to a vote.
“Dapat hindi na pinagbobotohan pa ng Senado kung i-ko-convene o hindi [It should no longer be put to a vote in the Senate whether to convene or not],” House senior deputy majority leader Lorenz Defensor said in an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Thursday, May 7.
“Sa ilalim ng ating Konstitusyon, ang isang impeachment trial, dapat immediately. Iyan ang intensyon ng ating Konstitusyon para malaman natin agad kung dapat bang tanggalin itong mataas na opisyal kasi nakakasama siya para sa bansa o dapat siyang manatili,” he added.
[Translation: Under our Constitution, an impeachment trial should proceed immediately. That is the intention of our Constitution — so we can immediately determine whether this high-ranking official should be removed because the person is harmful to the country, or should remain in office.]
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the constitutional provision requiring the Senate to proceed with trial “forthwith” after receiving the articles of impeachment means within a reasonable period of time, not necessarily immediately.
While Defensor said he disagrees with the Supreme Court ruling and leaves it to the Senate whether to act immediately or take its time, he said the chamber must still fulfill its constitutional mandate to conduct a trial.
“There is no other choice for the Senate but to convene,” he said.
Defensor said should the Senate refuse to do so, any member of Congress or any citizen could question the move before the Supreme Court.
“Kung merong petisyon, isa ako sa pipirma ng petisyon to request the Supreme Court to issue a mandamus [“If there is a petition, I will be one of those who will sign the petition requesting the Supreme Court to issue a writ of mandamus],” Defensor said.
