At least two congressional leaders remained hopeful that the Supreme Court (SC) would grant a motion for reconsideration of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte which was dropped earlier by the high tribunal.
“With regard to the motion for reconsideration, it is already with the SC, and we are waiting for its action on that. So presumably, if ever it is lifted or given due course, we expect the process will take off where it started where it ended,” TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.
On the other hand, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the SC decision regarding the impeachment suit “was more on the technicality and not on the merits of the case that we have filed,”.
Acidre cited Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s commitment that he would “act forthwith” on any impeachment case transmitted by the House of Representatives to the upper chamber.
The House is moving to adopt new impeachment rules for the 20th Congress that shall align with the High Court’s jurisprudence to ensure any future case filed against the Vice President is procedurally airtight and built on clear guidelines, Acidre said.
“Once we approve the rules, because we haven’t approved the rules for impeachment yet for the 20th Congress, that would be more or less cognizant of the direction set already by the Supreme Court and its latest jurisprudence. But nonetheless, that is not to preempt what the final resolution would be on the pending motion for reconsideration,” he explained.
“And I’m sure when things are procedural and there’s greater clarity on the part of the House and more clear guidelines from the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence, I don’t think it’s going to affect the final result, which is to make sure that we have a strong impeachment complaint should an impeachment be filed in the House,” Acidre pointed out.
“Without conceding the pending motion for reconsideration, we will have to come up with rules that are ‘Supreme Court-proof’ and in a way cognizant with what the indications presented in the latest ruling on the third mode,” Adiong said.
“But what we can assure you is should there be any adoption of new rules covering impeachment processes and procedures, this would be in compliance,” he added.
