(Manila, 12th) The Philippine House prosecution team criticized the Senate for returning Vice President Sara's impeachment case, saying the Senate's directive is perplexing and asserting that no one can stop the impeachment proceedings.
The eight-member House prosecution team held a press conference on Wednesday (June 11) to respond to the Senate's decision to vote to return Sara's impeachment case to the House. These eight representatives emphasized that they are not disobeying the Senate's directive, only that the directive is "quite unclear," needing clarification from the Senate.
Representative Ruisetruo said they are confused by the directive and insisted that the impeachment case submitted to the Senate on February 5 is constitutional.
They believe that the Senate's return of the impeachment case approved by the House is unconstitutional and stressed they will absolutely not withdraw the impeachment case. They also stated that the Senate has already issued a summons to Sara, indicating that the Senate has accepted the case and cannot send it back.
The Philippine Senate officially initiated the impeachment trial of Sara on Tuesday (10th). Pro-Duterte family senators initially moved to dismiss the impeachment case but were rejected. The Senate then approved by 18 votes to 5 to return the impeachment case to the House, to confirm that the case is not unconstitutional and that the next Congress is willing and prepared to advance the impeachment case.
This action has been criticized by several representatives and constitutional experts, saying that the Senate is shirking responsibility and delaying the impeachment process. Senator Hontiveros criticized this as "functionally dismissing the impeachment case," leading to the case being left unresolved.
One of the framers of the Philippine Constitution, Monsod, said that according to the Constitution, the Senate's duty is to try the impeachment case, not to question whether the impeachment charges are constitutional. "The Supreme Court is the institution to address such constitutional questions."
Sara is the daughter of former Philippine President Duterte. The Senate was originally scheduled to convene a special meeting on June 2 to review the impeachment case and decide whether to form an impeachment court, but Senate President Escudero postponed the review to June 11, citing the need to prioritize other critical legislation. However, June 11 is the last day of the 19th Philippine Congress, meaning the related review work and impeachment proceedings must wait until the 20th Congress convenes to continue.
The Philippines held midterm elections on May 12, and the new Congress will be established in July. Sara faces four impeachment charges, including betrayal of public trust, violating the Constitution, corruption and planning to assassinate President Marcos Jr. Sara has denied all charges.
The eight-member House prosecution team held a press conference on Wednesday (June 11) to respond to the Senate's decision to vote to return Sara's impeachment case to the House. These eight representatives emphasized that they are not disobeying the Senate's directive, only that the directive is "quite unclear," needing clarification from the Senate.
Representative Ruisetruo said they are confused by the directive and insisted that the impeachment case submitted to the Senate on February 5 is constitutional.
They believe that the Senate's return of the impeachment case approved by the House is unconstitutional and stressed they will absolutely not withdraw the impeachment case. They also stated that the Senate has already issued a summons to Sara, indicating that the Senate has accepted the case and cannot send it back.
The Philippine Senate officially initiated the impeachment trial of Sara on Tuesday (10th). Pro-Duterte family senators initially moved to dismiss the impeachment case but were rejected. The Senate then approved by 18 votes to 5 to return the impeachment case to the House, to confirm that the case is not unconstitutional and that the next Congress is willing and prepared to advance the impeachment case.
This action has been criticized by several representatives and constitutional experts, saying that the Senate is shirking responsibility and delaying the impeachment process. Senator Hontiveros criticized this as "functionally dismissing the impeachment case," leading to the case being left unresolved.
One of the framers of the Philippine Constitution, Monsod, said that according to the Constitution, the Senate's duty is to try the impeachment case, not to question whether the impeachment charges are constitutional. "The Supreme Court is the institution to address such constitutional questions."
Sara is the daughter of former Philippine President Duterte. The Senate was originally scheduled to convene a special meeting on June 2 to review the impeachment case and decide whether to form an impeachment court, but Senate President Escudero postponed the review to June 11, citing the need to prioritize other critical legislation. However, June 11 is the last day of the 19th Philippine Congress, meaning the related review work and impeachment proceedings must wait until the 20th Congress convenes to continue.
The Philippines held midterm elections on May 12, and the new Congress will be established in July. Sara faces four impeachment charges, including betrayal of public trust, violating the Constitution, corruption and planning to assassinate President Marcos Jr. Sara has denied all charges.