Latest news with #Tongol
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
House prosecution says impeachment court spox should not speak for VP Sara
Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol should speak for the court, not for the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte, House prosecution panel spokesperson and lawyer Antonio Bucoy said Friday. Bucoy was reacting to Tongol's comments on Thursday when he said that there is a high chance that the Vice President will make a motion to dismiss the impeachment complaint. Tongol said, 'Ang action na ini-expect natin from the defense by filing an ad cautelam appearance—na magpa-file sila ng either answer with affirmative defense questioning the jurisdiction, or a motion to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.' (We expect the defense to question the jurisdiction of file a motion to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.) 'As spokesperson, he is the mouthpiece of the court. He expresses the mindset of the court. [But] he's telegraphing the defense to file a motion to dismiss,' Bucoy told GMA News Online in a text message. 'Recall that the partiality of some members of the court had already been raised as an issue. I priorly stated that while I am prepared to give the judges the benefit of a doubt, the spokesperson's subject statement convinces me otherwise,' Bucoy added. House spokesperson Princess Abante agreed. 'Do not speak for the defense. Speak for the impeachment court,' Abante said of Tongol. 'That is why we are saying that what we want is a Senate impeachment court that is ready to accept the evidence, listen to the evidence and decide based on the evidence presented,' Abante added. In a "24 Oras" report by Saleema Refran, Tongol said, "Hindi pag-aabogado sa isang panig o paglilito sa publiko ngunit pagsagot lamang sa scenario setting na tanong sa akin nang naayon sa aking karanasan sa litigation." "Ito ay bahagi ng ating tungkulin hindi lamang bilang spokesperson ngunit bilang abogado rin upang ipaliwanang ang legal proceedings sa lahat," he also said. "The Impeachment Court is committed to neutrality, fairness and due process. Respect for the court is fundamental to democracy, so it is vital for the stability of this democracy for all to work together with mutual respect…and for litigants to avoid unnecessary attacks that only serve to hinder our collective efforts to proceed with the impeachment process," Tongol added. In a separate statement, House lead prosecutor and 4Ps party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan commended the senator-judges who uphold decorum and refrain from public commentary, but he did not mention names. 'We commend our senator-judges who have chosen the high road of restraint. Silence, in the context of an ongoing trial, is not passivity—it is professionalism,' Libanan said. 'In this highly charged political moment, those who speak least may actually understand the gravity of their judicial role the most. They recognize that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is a constitutional tribunal—not a venue for political theater," Libanan added. Libanan then cited the Constitution's demand for neutrality from judges in any legal or quasi-legal proceeding. 'Every statement a judge makes outside the courtroom is a potential challenge to fairness inside it. The discipline shown by some senators is therefore not just admirable—it's essential,' Libanan said. 'We urge all senator-judges to uphold the same level of discretion. Let the facts and the Constitution—not noise—shape the outcome of this process,' he added. Over 200 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment complaint against Vice President on February 5, accusing her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Sotto slams Senate ruling on Sara Duterte impeachment
Senator-elect Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III has sharply criticized the Senate's move to remand the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the decision procedurally flawed and urging his fellow senator-judges to revisit the rules. 'The Senate Court's decision is flawed! A senator-judge cannot file a motion,' Sotto told reporters via text message. He emphasized that only defense or prosecution lawyers are allowed to make such motions, a point he said he learned from the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the 11th Congress. Sotto was referring to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's motion to send the impeachment case back to the House of Representatives. That motion, an amended version of Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa's earlier motion to dismiss the case outright, passed with an 18-5 vote on June 10. Pressed on how the Senate could remedy the situation, Sotto said they should move on but learn from the misstep. He also suggested senator-judges review their duties and consider changing their legal advisers. 'They should just leave that in the dustbin of history. Don't repeat the mistake. Senator-judges should review the role of a judge—and replace the lawyers around them,' he said. He urged new senators to study past impeachment proceedings, particularly during the trial of President Joseph Estrada, where Santiago emphasized judicial conduct and procedures. 'Study first before speaking out,' Sotto added. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Impeachment Court, lawyer Regie Tongol, defended the Senate's decision. He likened senator-judges to members of the Supreme Court, who have the inherent power to review complaints for legal sufficiency. 'It's normal in a collegial judicial body to assess documents. If a defect is raised, the court can ask the House to address it,' Tongol explained. The court set two requirements for the House: a certification that the verified complaint doesn't violate the Constitution, and a reaffirmation that lawmakers intend to pursue the trial. As of Friday morning, the court had yet to formally receive the House's certification. Tongol noted it was only released to the media so far. When asked whether non-compliance by the House could lead to contempt, Tongol said it was unlikely, stressing that the Senate is trying to avoid a constitutional standoff. 'The Impeachment Court is doing everything it can to prevent a clash with the House or a potential constitutional crisis,' he said.
