House Speaker Martin Romualdez Speaks on Supreme Court Ruling over Duterte’s Impeachment Articles
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The House Speaker called on the members of the chamber to not bow in silence over the Supreme Court ruling in the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Supreme Court declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte as “unconstitutional”. The court found it violative of the one year ban rule with regards to impeachment cases. The decision came with a 13-0 ruling among the justices.
Malacañang previously called on the public to respect the Supreme Court ruling but, later, clarified that respecting the judgment does not necessarily mean that the Palace agrees with it. The House of Representatives, the respondents in the case, stressed that it will continue to uphold its constitutional duty.
The House of Representatives which is led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez impeached Vice Pres. Sara Duterte last February. Prior to the impeachment complaint that was transmitted to the Senate, there were three (3) impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President.
With the opening of the 20th Congress, Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez remained in his post as the House Speaker. Recently, after he was reelected as the chief of the House of Representatives, he issued a speech containing about his stand on the Supreme Court ruling over the Articles of Impeachment versus Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Based on a report on Inquirer, House Speaker Martin Romualdez also urged his fellow lawmakers to “draw [the] line”. He also stressed that the “the power to initiate impeachment is the exclusive domain of this chamber”.
Romualdez reiterated that the House of Representatives recognized the decision of the Supreme Court in the impeachment case of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. However, based on the report, the House Speaker called on the members of the chamber to not just stay mum on the matter.
“Let me say this with the utmost respect: The Supreme Court has spoken, and we recognize its decision. But let it never be said that the House of the People bowed in silence,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
Previously, former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima claimed that the ruling of the Supreme Court over Duterte’s impeachment case is allegedly “procedurally questionable”.