House to Senate: Proceed with Duterte impeachment trial as SC dismissal not yet final

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Senate could still hold an impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte as the Supreme Court’s (SC) dismissal of the case is not yet final and executory, the House of Representatives said on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

The SC ruled that the Articles of Impeachment are unconstitutional because it violated the one-year bar rule and due process. Its decision is immediately executory. The Senate is set to discuss the ruling on Wednesday.

The House has appealed the court decision.

“At the very least, sana hintayin ‘yung final disposition ng Supreme Court doon sa na-file na motion for reconsideration bago magkaroon ng desisyon tungkol sa anong mangyayari sa impeachment proceedings,” House spokesperson Princess Abante said in a press briefing.

[Translation: At the very least, I hope they wait for the final disposition of the Supreme Court on the motion for reconsideration filed before deciding on the impeachment proceedings.]

The Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, said the Articles of Impeachment will not become dead regardless of whatever decision the Senate will make.

“Habang hindi pa ito pinal, ‘wag sarhan ang usapin,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said. “‘Wag naman sanang atat na atat na patayin na ito kahit na meron pang motion for reconsideration.”

[Translation: While this is not yet final, do not close the discussion. Do not hastily kill the talks amid the motion for reconsideration.]

“Alam nila na may pending motion for reconsideration sa Supreme Court. Hindi pa sarado ang usapin. For us, grave ‘yun na injustice na ibibigay sa taumbayan,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said.

[Translation: They know that there is a pending motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court. The talks are not yet closed. For us, that would be a grave injustice to the public.]

House impeachment spokesperson Antonio Bucoy explained that it is within the bounds of law, should the Senate decide to dismiss the case, in pursuant to the immediately executory court decision.

But he warned: “Sundin n’yo ngayon, ipatupad ninyo ngayon, may chance na mabago ‘yan. So… aksaya ng panahon.”

[Translation: Follow and implement the ruling now, but there is still a chance for it to be reversed. So, it would be a waste of time.]

Bucoy noted that judges are also humans and may commit mistakes.

The House insisted that its impeachment of Duterte is lawful.

Duterte was impeached in February, through a complaint signed by 215 House members, due to her alleged misuse of confidential funds and threats to the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, among other issues.