House spox to Senate impeachment court spox: 'Do not confuse the public'
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House spox to Senate impeachment court spox: 'Do not confuse the public'
MANILA – The spokesperson for the House of Representatives urged the spokesperson for the Senate impeachment court not to confuse the public and blame the House for delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte.
MANILA – The spokesperson for the House of Representatives urged the spokesperson for the Senate impeachment court not to confuse the public and blame the House for delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte.
Atty. Princess Abante was responding to the statement of impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol that the House’s “refusal” to accept a copy of the formal entry of appearance of Duterte’s lawyers before the court may hamper the proceedings.
Atty. Princess Abante was responding to the statement of impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol that the House’s “refusal” to accept a copy of the formal entry of appearance of Duterte’s lawyers before the court may hamper the proceedings.
Abante called out the supposed attempt to inflate a mere “clerical detail”.
Abante called out the supposed attempt to inflate a mere “clerical detail”.
“Sa gitna ng mga isyung ito, pakiusap lang sa tagapagsalita ng Senado: huwag sanang lituhin ang publiko. Huwag gawing dahilan ang isang clerical detail para ipasa ang sisi sa Kamara. Maliit na bagay ito na pinapalaking parang may masamang layunin, gayong malinaw naman ang intensyon ng staff - sumunod sa proseso, hindi magdulot ng abala,” she said in a statement.
“Sa gitna ng mga isyung ito, pakiusap lang sa tagapagsalita ng Senado: huwag sanang lituhin ang publiko. Huwag gawing dahilan ang isang clerical detail para ipasa ang sisi sa Kamara. Maliit na bagay ito na pinapalaking parang may masamang layunin, gayong malinaw naman ang intensyon ng staff - sumunod sa proseso, hindi magdulot ng abala,” she said in a statement.
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The House of Representatives has denied refusing to accept the entry of appearance.
The House of Representatives has denied refusing to accept the entry of appearance.
Abante clarified that last June 16, a messenger arrived at the gate of the House of Representatives in Quezon City and tried to submit a document, without disclosing its details.
Abante clarified that last June 16, a messenger arrived at the gate of the House of Representatives in Quezon City and tried to submit a document, without disclosing its details.
“Hindi malinaw kung saan ito galing at kung anong klaseng dokumento ito. Walang cover letter, walang pormal na paliwanag. Kaya’t hindi ito agad tinanggap - hindi dahil tinanggihan, kundi dahil kailangang malinawan muna ang layunin at tamang pagproseso,” she explained.
“Hindi malinaw kung saan ito galing at kung anong klaseng dokumento ito. Walang cover letter, walang pormal na paliwanag. Kaya’t hindi ito agad tinanggap - hindi dahil tinanggihan, kundi dahil kailangang malinawan muna ang layunin at tamang pagproseso,” she explained.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said as much.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said as much.
“Hindi dineclare kasi kung ano ‘yung laman ng document. As you know we have been instructed by the plenary last session not to accept (yet) the articles of impeachment,” he told the media.
“Hindi dineclare kasi kung ano ‘yung laman ng document. As you know we have been instructed by the plenary last session not to accept (yet) the articles of impeachment,” he told the media.
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“Walang masamang intensyon. Wala ring tinanggihan. Ang hinanap lang ay ang tamang pagkilala sa dokumento. Kung ito ay Entry of Appearance, sana ay sinabi na lang agad—upang naiproseso ito nang maayos,” Abante stressed.
“Walang masamang intensyon. Wala ring tinanggihan. Ang hinanap lang ay ang tamang pagkilala sa dokumento. Kung ito ay Entry of Appearance, sana ay sinabi na lang agad—upang naiproseso ito nang maayos,” Abante stressed.
She pointed out that the Vice President’s lawyers’ entry of appearance in the Senate impeachment court is not even a requirement for the trial to proceed.
She pointed out that the Vice President’s lawyers’ entry of appearance in the Senate impeachment court is not even a requirement for the trial to proceed.
“Ang Entry of Appearance ay hindi requirement para umusad ang impeachment trial. Wala itong epekto sa takbo ng paglilitis. At higit sa lahat, hindi ito ang dahilan kung bakit wala pang trial hanggang ngayon,” Abante said.
“Ang Entry of Appearance ay hindi requirement para umusad ang impeachment trial. Wala itong epekto sa takbo ng paglilitis. At higit sa lahat, hindi ito ang dahilan kung bakit wala pang trial hanggang ngayon,” Abante said.
“Huwag po nating gawing teleserye ang isang seryosong proseso. Ang impeachment ay hindi tungkol sa pa-victim o paandar - ito ay tungkol sa katotohanan, pananagutan, at hustisya,” she added.
“Huwag po nating gawing teleserye ang isang seryosong proseso. Ang impeachment ay hindi tungkol sa pa-victim o paandar - ito ay tungkol sa katotohanan, pananagutan, at hustisya,” she added.
NO REASON TO REFILE COMPLAINT
There is no reason for the House of Representatives to refile the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores.
There is no reason for the House of Representatives to refile the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, according to House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores.
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He is responding to a claim by Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo that he “heard from colleagues, they'll refile it sa 20th Congress”.
He is responding to a claim by Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo that he “heard from colleagues, they'll refile it sa 20th Congress”.
“Never heard of such a plan. There has been no discussion about any plan to refile the impeachment complaint,” Flores said in a text message.
“Never heard of such a plan. There has been no discussion about any plan to refile the impeachment complaint,” Flores said in a text message.
“The House just certified that the complaint was filed in accordance with its rules and the Constitution. There is no cause or reason to think about filing it again,” he added.
“The House just certified that the complaint was filed in accordance with its rules and the Constitution. There is no cause or reason to think about filing it again,” he added.
Last week, the Senate sitting as 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 House impeachment proceedings against Duterte, and until the House of the 20th Congress.
Last week, the Senate sitting as 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 House impeachment proceedings against Duterte, and until the House of the 20th Congress.
But the House prosecution team maintains such requirements have no basis in the Constitution and in law. It has been calling on the Senate to comply with its Constitutional mandate to proceed with the trial “forthwith”.
But the House prosecution team maintains such requirements have no basis in the Constitution and in law. It has been calling on the Senate to comply with its Constitutional mandate to proceed with the trial “forthwith”.
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