House members hit supposed Senate reso dismissing Duterte impeachment trial

Metro Manila, Philippines - House members have criticized a supposed Senate resolution which aims to dismiss the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In separate ambush interviews on Wednesday, June 4, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said it is the Senate’s constitutional mandate to convene immediately as an impeachment court.

READ: Alleged draft Senate resolution seeks outright dismissal of Duterte impeachment case

Chua, a member of the 11-man House prosecution team, said if such a resolution is true, the Senate’s move is unconstitutional.

“Hindi ko naiisip kung papa’no idi-dismiss ‘yan [I cannot think of how they would dismiss it] without first conducting the trial and that is their Constitutional mandate,” he said.

“Kung ito naman ay babalewalain by mere resolution, tingin ko parang hindi naman maganda,” Chua added, noting that the ball is already with the Senate.

[Translation: If they would dismiss it by mere resolution, I do not think it would look good.]

Brosas, meanwhile, said if the impeachment case would be dismissed, it would look like the upper chamber is absolving Duterte of the accusations against her.

“Hindi po katanggap-tanggap sa’tin ‘yan. Garapal naman na gawin ‘yan ng Senado sa ngayon dahil alam naman natin na ang umiingay na panawagan ngayon ay put the vice president in trial,” Brosas said.

[Translation: That is unacceptable. The Senate is flagrant for doing that because the clamor is to put the vice president on trial.]

She also questioned how Duterte would defend her supposed confidential fund mismanagement if there would be no trial.

Manuel, on the other hand, reminded senators of their mandate.

“Kung hindi pala sila handa kasi mas gusto nilang i-prioritize ‘yung political convenience or accommodation, in the first place, ba’t nila kinuha ‘yung posisyon? Ba’t sila tumakbo? Ba’t sila umupo?” Manuel asked.

[Translation: If they were not ready because they wanted to prioritize political convenience or accommodation, why did they take the position in the first place? Why did they run? Why did they assume the position?]

“They have to review their functions and their mandate. Hindi pwedeng mamimili sila kung anong functions lang ang gagampanan, based sa kung ano lang ‘yung convenient para sa kanila,” he said.

[Translation: They cannot choose what functions they would undertake, based on what is convenient for them.]

Brosas and Manuel were among the endorsers of the second impeachment complaint filed against Duterte.

The House impeached Duterte in February over alleged confidential fund mismanagement and threatening the lives of the First Family, among others.