Spokesperson of House of Representatives Speaks on Entry of Appearance of VP Sara Duterte’s Lawyers
The House of Representatives denied rejecting the entry of appearance of the lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senate President Chiz Escudero clarified that the return of Vice Pres. Duterte’s impeachment to the lower chamber does not equate to neither dismissal nor termination of the impeachment case. According to the Senate President who is also the presiding officer of the impeachment court, it is a chance for the prosecution panel to be able to answer questions.
The Senate impeachment court seeks clarification on the constitutionality of Duterte’s impeachment as well as a reconfirmation from the 20th Congress. Eighteen (18) senators voted for the remand of the Articles of Impeachment.
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
However, the decision of the Senate impeachment court was met by different reactions. Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Sen. Risa Hontiveros stressed that there is no return in the legal process. Former Senate Pres. Tito Sotto claimed that senator judges must refrain from introducing motions.
According to senator-elect Tito Sotto, he learned it from the late former Sen. Miriam Santiago that a senator judge must not make a motion. He stressed that senator judges must only ask questions and seek clarifications.
Amid the different opinions surrounding the remand of Duterte’s impeachment, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that the power of the impeachment court has no limitations. Previously, the Senate Impeachment Court confirmed receiving the entry of appearance of the legal counsels of the Vice President in the trial. There are 16 of them.
- Philip Sigfrid A. Fortun
- Gregorio Y. Narvasa II
- Sheila C.Sison
- Carlo Joaquin T. Narvasa
- Roberto N. Batungbacal
- Justin Nicol B. Gular
- Lindon Miguel C. Bacquel
- David Ronell M. Golla VII
- Maria Selena Golda R. Fortun
- Clarlaine F. Radoc
- Francesca Marie V. Flores
- Miguel Carlos A. Fernandez
- Michael Wesley T. Poa
- Reynold S. Munsayac
- Mark C. Vinluan
- Ralph B. Bodota
However, there were talks that the House of Representatives allegedly rejected the entry of appearance of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyers. Recently, the lower chamber made a clarification.
Based on a report on PhilStar, House spokesperson Princess Abante clarified that the lower chamber did not reject the entry of appearance of the lawyers of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. According to her, they are just following the process.
Abante further explained that they did not accept the document as it allegedly lacks citation of its purpose and the proper process in the submission of the entry of appearance. Based on the report, the House spox said the document was delivered by a messenger to the House of Representatives’ gate in Quezon City last June 16.
“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 said.
Based on the report, the House Spokesperson said they could not receive the document that has allegedly no credibility. She stressed that there was no bad intention on not receiving the document.
“Walang masamang intensyon. Wala ring tinanggihan. Ang hinanap lang ay ang tamang pagkilala sa dokumento,” Abante said.
Recently, several senator-elects spoke on the impeachment trial issue. Senator-elect Kiko Pangilinan asserted that it is the Senate impeachment court’s duty “to try and decide”.