Senate Spokesperson, Atty. Reginald Tongol criticized the House of Representatives for claiming that the Senate is undermining the Constitution, rather than following the court’s requirements.
“This is first time I have seen litigants question the court,” Tongol said in a press conference on Wednesday.
He stated that the impeachment court is still awaiting a certification from the House confirming that it did not breach the Constitution in its impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The court is also awaiting Duterte’s response to the summons it issued. She has until June 23 to submit her answer, while prosecutors have until June 30 to file their reply.
“Nakalagay po sa Senate impeachment rules na magpapatuloy pa rin ang impeachment process kahit na hindi po sumagot, hindi mag-file ng answer,” Tongol said.
Tongol noted that legal complications could be avoided if the House of Representatives complies with the impeachment court’s directive.
Last week, the Senate, acting as the impeachment court, ordered the return of the Articles of Impeachment to the lower chamber until it issues a certification confirming that all constitutional requirements were met in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The court also instructed the House of the 20th Congress to pass a resolution affirming its intent to proceed with the prosecution.
The House has already voted to issue the required certification affirming the constitutionality of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, but has postponed accepting the returned Articles of Impeachment while awaiting further clarification.
It also cannot comply with the resolution requested from the 20th Congress, as the new session is not scheduled to convene until July.
Meanwhile, the House’s spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante argued that the requirements do not comply with the Constitution.
“Ang requirement lang ng Constitution ay verified complaint that is sufficient in form and substance that is voted upon by members of the House of Representatives that was transmitted to the Senate,” Abante said.
“Similar to a certification of non-forum shopping, we do not find that in the Constitution. We need to abide by what is provided in the Constitution,” she asserted.
The House spokesperson also pointed out that the Constitution does not explicitly allow for the outright dismissal of an impeachment complaint.
However, lawyer Antonio Audie Bucoy, spokesperson for the House prosecution team, maintained that the House has already fulfilled its constitutional obligations in the impeachment process. He asserted that it is now the Senate, acting as the impeachment court, that must carry out its responsibilities.
“We’re not complaining. We are calling them out. Do your duty. That is the clamor of the people,” Bucoy said.
Bucoy further emphasized that the impeachment court’s requirements were not directed at the prosecution team, noting that the team operates under the authority of the court and is therefore subordinate to it.
“It was issued to the House of Representatives, a co-equal branch,” he said.