The House Prosecution Panel on Wednesday formally submitted to the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, a certification affirming that it has fully complied with constitutional requirements in impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte.
In its June 25 submission, the panel attached an enrolled copy of Resolution No. 328 (House Resolution No. 2346), which was adopted in plenary on June 11.
The resolution asserts that the impeachment proceedings initiated on February 5 adhered to Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution and the House Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings.
‘‘The House of Representatives, through the Public Prosecutors, most respectfully submits the attached enrolled copy attesting to the fact that the impeachment proceedings… fully complied with [the Constitution and House Rules], including the circumstances on the filing of the first three (3) impeachment complaints,’’ the document read.
The certification emphasized that the Articles of Impeachment had already been transmitted to the Senate in accordance with constitutional procedure. ‘‘This submission is without waiver of the Prosecution’s position that there is no legal basis for the return of the Articles of Impeachment… consistent with the 2012 ruling during the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona,’’ it added.
In a separate Manifestation, the House prosecution panel resubmitted its Entry of Appearance without reservation or qualification-highlighting a contrast to Vice President Duterte’s legal team, which filed an Answer Ad Cautelam and a similarly qualified Entry of Appearance.
‘‘In contrast to the Appearance Ad Cautelam… filed by the counsels for the Respondent, Sara Zimmerman Duterte, there is no reservation, limitation or other qualification of any kind on the part of the undersigned public prosecutors,’’ the Manifestation stated.
The submissions were signed by Public Prosecutor Marcelino Libanan and were also furnished to both the Vice President and her legal counsel from Fortun Narvasa & Salazar.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s former spokesperson Reynold Munsayac has returned to a similar role, this time as the official spokesperson for her defense team in the impeachment trial.
‘‘Any questions about the impeachment, you can direct it to him, and then he will give you an interview,’‘ Duterte told reporters Wednesday. Munsayac is one of 16 lawyers representing Duterte. He previously resigned from his post as OVP spokesperson in late 2024 during the House inquiry into Dutert’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
On the same day, Senate President Francis Escudero outlined the next steps in
the impeachment trial and warned of a temporary lapse in the House’s prosecutorial authority by June 30.
“The House has until noon on Monday to submit their reply if they choose to do so, as submitting a reply to Vice President Sara Duterte’s answer ad cautelam is not mandatory,” Escudero said. “Why the deadline on June 30? Because by then, the authority of the House and its prosecutors to act as prosecutors in the impeachment trial will expire.”
He stressed that the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, will assess all arguments raised, including any motions in Duterte’s submission, but will not comment on their merits.
‘‘Both parties will be given the opportunity to present their arguments,’’ Escudero said, noting that formal trial dates and new prosecutor appointments must follow full compliance with constitutional and procedural requirements.
He also warned that unless the House confirms there’s no violation of the one-year impeachment bar and shows intent to pursue the case in the 20th Congress, the impeachment court cannot reconvene on July 29.
“The impeachment court may issue an order to restrict or prohibit the parties from speaking, but that decision lies solely with the court,” Escudero said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “House complies with Impeachment Court requirements.”
