Spokespersons clash on Senate impeachment court's requirements

Senators discuss a proposal to convene the Senate as an impeachment court to hear the case against Vice President Sara Duterte. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate Social Media Unit/Joseph B. Vidal, OSP 

MANILA — Lawyer Reginald Tongol, spokesperson for the Senate impeachment court, blasted the House of Representatives for criticizing the court instead of complying with orders.

“This is first time I have seen litigants question the court,” Tongol said in a press conference on Wednesday.

He said the impeachment court is still waiting for certification from the House that it did not violate the Constitution when it impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.

It is also still waiting for Duterte's answer to the summons sent by the impeachment court. She has until June 23 to do that, with prosecutors having until June 30 to respond. 

House certifies impeachment of VP Duterte complied with Constitution

"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.

(Under the Senate impeachment rules, the impeachment process will continue even if she does not respond)

Tongol said legal questions can be avoided if the HOR complies with the order of the impeachment court.

Last week, the Senate sitting as the impeachment court ordered to return the Articles of Impeachment to the lower chamber, until it certifies that all constitutional requirements were complied with in the proceedings against Duterte.

It also required the House of the 20th Congress to adopt a resolution affirming they will continue with the prosecution.

The House has voted to issue the certification on constitutionality but has deferred accepting the remanded Articles of Impeachment pending clarification.

House defers acceptance of returned articles of impeachment against VP Duterte from Senate Impeachment Court

It also cannot comply with the resolution from the House of the 20th Congress, which will only convene in July.

HOUSE SPOX: IMPEACHMENT COURT'S REQUIREMENTS HAVE NO BASIS

Lawyer Princess Abante, spokesperson for the House, said Wednesday that the impeachment court's requirements have no basis in the Constitution.

"Ang requirement lang ng Constitution ay (The Constitution only requires a) 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 noted that the Constitution does not provide for an outright dismissal of an impeachment complaint.

Meanwhile, lawyer Antonio Audie Bucoy — spokesperson for the House prosecution team — asserted that the House has already complied with the requirements of the Constitution regarding the impeachment proceedings, and it is the Senate sitting as impeachment court that needs to comply with their duty.

"We're not complaining. We are calling them out. Do your duty. That is the clamor of the people," Bucoy said.

Bucoy also pointed out that the impeachment court's requirements were not for the prosecution team, which would be subordinate to it.

"It was issued to the House of Representatives, a co-equal branch," he said.