Statement of Malacañang on SC Declaring Articles of Impeachment vs. Duterte “Unconstitutional”
Malacañang broke its silence on the ruling of the Supreme Court over the Articles of Impeachment versus Vice President Sara Duterte.
Amid the long wait of many people for the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Duterte to begin, the Supreme Court recently released its ruling on the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President. To recall, the Vice President, Atty. Israelito Torreon, and several others filed a petition seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Duterte.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is “unconstitutional”. According to the high court, the impeachment complaint against the Vice President is “barred by the one year rule”.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte that was transmitted to the Senate was the fourth complaint filed against the Vice President in the House of Representatives. She was impeached by the lower chamber in February.
The Senate, as an impeachment court, ruled to return Duterte’s impeachment to the House before the 19th Congress adjourned. It was over the questions about constitutionality as well as a requirement of a reconfirmation from the 20th Congress.
Eighteen (18) senators supported the motion to return Duterte’s impeachment to the House which Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified that it does not equate to the dismissal or termination of the case. Five (5) senator judges declined the motion.
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
Amid the accusations, Malacañang previously reiterated several times that Pres. Bongbong Marcos will not intervene in the impeachment process of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. According to the Palace, the decision lies on the Senate.
Recently, following the decision of the Supreme Court declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte “unconstitutional”, Malacañang called on the Filipinos to respect the high court. Based on a post of Inquirer, Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro claimed they have yet to fully read the decision of the high court.
“We have yet to review the full text of the Supreme Court’s decision. We call on everyone to respect the Supreme Court and place their trust in our institutions,” the Malacañang press officer said.
Atty. Claire Castro further expressed that the impeachment process is within the jurisdiction of the legislative and judicial branches of the government. Based on the post, the Malacañang recognized their “independence in carrying out their constitutional mandates”.
The camp of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has also spoken on the Supreme Court decision over the impeachment articles.