Alan Cayetano: Senate must do Constitutional duty in Sara Duterte impeachment
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday said that the Senate remains duty-bound to fulfill its constitutional mandate in the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Cayetano, running mate of Sara's father Rodrigo in the 2016 presidential elections, said this when asked whether or not the Senate still needs to vote to convene as an impeachment court.
'Kapag Constitutional mandate, gagawin mo lang. Having said that, 'di ba kasi, 'yung implementing it and applying it to the 24 [senators], may botohan 'yan. But just because may botohan, doesn't make it right,' he said.
(If it's a Constitutional mandate, you just do it. Having said that, because you're implementing it and applying it to 24 senators, there should be a vote. But just because there is voting, it doesn't make it right.)
Asked if a Constitutional mandate can be overturned by a simple majority vote of the Senate plenary, the veteran lawmaker said, 'Hindi dapat [it should not be].'
The presentation of the articles of impeachment by the House of Representatives prosecution panel against the Vice President before the Senate was moved from June 2 to June 11—days before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 14.
Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero explained the decision was made as the Senate and the House need to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the 19th Congress closes.
Senator JV Ejercito also said that it is not optional for the Senate to convene as an impeachment court because it is their Constitutional duty to do so.
'I think duty talaga natin sa [it's really our duty under the] Constitution,' Ejercito said.
'Obstructions'
Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, criticized the supposed delays, pointing out that convening as an impeachment court and commencing trial is 'expressly mandated' by the Constitution.
'These delays are no longer procedural. They are obstructions dressed up as protocol. The impeachment process is a crucial means of demanding accountability exclusively entrusted by the people to the Senate,' she said in a video message.
'It's time to follow the rules and start the process 'forthwith'. Enough games. Time to move,' she added.
Article XI Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution states that: 'In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.'
For his part, Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, said the impeachment should no longer cross to the 20th Congress. However, if it does, he said it 'remains to be seen' whether he would try to block it or not in the next Congress.
'Those are legal questions that need to be answered. Legal issues 'yan eh. Titingnan natin, pag-uusapan [those are legal questions we need to discuss],' dela Rosa said.
Escudero said Monday that senators in the 20th Congress will have the final say on whether or not Duterte's impeachment trial will push through.
Senator Loren Legarda, on the other hand, said that she will abide by the decision of the leadership regarding the matter.
'It's not just for one senator to decide what to do, right? Our opinion would be of no consequence. It's for them to decide whether it will be put in the agenda for a vote at all or that's it,' she told reporters in an ambush interview.
Protest rally
On Tuesday morning, a number of protesters flocked to the Senate to question the delays in the impeachment proceedings.
Bayan Secretary General Mong Palatino said they are willing to hold a vigil in front of the Senate to call on the upper chamber to push through with the impeachment trial of Duterte.
'Tayo ay kikilos sa pananagutan at sisingilin natin itong Senado na sa halip na pakinggan ang boses ng mga mamamayan, sa halip na ipakita ang ebidensya laban sa korapsyon, mas pinili nitong pagtakpan, protektahan ang magnanakaw, ang mga mandarambong,' Palatino said.
(We will have the Senate pay for choosing to protect the thieves, instead of listening to the voice of the people and showing the evidence against corruption.) —RF, GMA Integrated News
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