Latest news with #1987Constitution
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
House says Sara Duterte impeachment complied with Constitution
On a motion by Isabela Rep. Inno Dy, the House plenary deferred acceptance of the articles of impeachment until the Senate Impeachment Court has responded to the queries sought by the House prosecution panel regarding the remanding of the articles of impeachment. The House of Representatives on Wednesday night certified that the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte complied with the 1987 Constitution, a day after the Senate impeachment court voted to return the articles of impeachment to the House. On a motion by Isabela Rep. Inno Dy, the House plenary deferred acceptance of the articles of impeachment until the Senate Impeachment Court has responded to the queries sought by the House prosecution panel regarding the remanding of the articles of impeachment. With no objections, the motion was carried. In a voice vote, the House plenary adopted House Resolution No. 2346, which certified that the impeachment initiated on February 5, 2025, against Sara Duterte fully complied with the constitution, including the circumstances on the filing of the first three impeachment complaints. Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David "Jayjay" Suarez, and Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe authored the resolution. The Senate sitting as an impeachment court on Tuesday night voted for the articles of impeachment to be returned to the House of Representatives without dismissing or terminating the case until such time that: The House of Representatives certifies to the non-violation of Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that 'No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within one year; include the circumstances on the filing of the first three impeachment complaints"; and The House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicates to the Senate that it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint against the Vice President. Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, in a news conference on Wednesday, said that the House would defer the acceptance of the articles of impeachment while House members sought clarification from the Senate impeachment court. 'We are certain and it is in the face of the impeachment complaint, that we are fully and strictly compliant with the requirements of the Constitution,' Luistro said. 'They're asking for reconfirmation of the 20th Congress, whether it will pursue the impeachment complaint against the vice president. How can this order be complied with when the 20th Congress does not yet exist?' she added. Those who voted yes include Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senators Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Francis Tolentino, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Ramon Revilla Jr., Joel Villanueva, Lito Lapid, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. The negative votes came from Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Nancy Binay. –Tina Panganiban-Perez/NB, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Escudero proposes July 30 as start date for VP Duterte's impeachment trial
Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero proposed that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could begin on July 30, emphasizing the need to follow legal procedures to prevent further delays. His remarks came in response to Senator Risa Hontiveros, who expressed concerns that senators of the 19th Congress might fail in their responsibilities if the 20th Congress takes up the impeachment case. We are proceeding according to the law and Constitution,' Escudero explained. 'Failure to follow legal procedures would only cause more delays and give opportunities for either party to challenge the process.' In a letter dated February 24, Escudero outlined his reasoning for beginning the impeachment trial while Congress is in session, referencing legal precedents and interpreting the term 'forthwith' in relation to impeachment cases under the 1987 Constitution. Escudero stressed the Senate's constitutional responsibility to try impeachment cases with caution and preparation, quoting the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's stance during the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada. He emphasized that the phrase 'proceed forthwith' should be understood alongside the Constitutional requirement for Congress to establish rules for impeachment. The House impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment were forwarded to the Senate the same day, but the Senate adjourned without taking further action. Escudero has suggested that the impeachment trial could tentatively begin on July 30.
