Manila: The House panel prosecuting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has officially called on the Senate Impeachment Court to proceed with the impeachment trial, arguing that her cautionary response is fraught with 'falsehoods, misleading claims, and baseless procedural objections.'
According to Philippines News Agency, the House panel, in a reply filed Friday, insisted that Duterte must face trial and be held accountable before the Filipino people. They emphasized the public's right to witness the process, dismissing the need for any dramatic confrontations, and urged the trial to commence.
The panel highlighted the seriousness of the allegations against Duterte, dismissing her request for immediate dismissal by stating that procedural technicalities should not overshadow the gravity of the accusations. They argued that the impeachment articles underscore her unsuitability for public office.
The prosecution team criticized Duterte's legal maneuvers as blatant attempts to delay or dismiss the proceedings rather than addressing the charges. Duterte had contended that the Senate lacked jurisdiction due to improper transmission of the Articles of Impeachment. However, prosecutors countered this by noting her acknowledgment of receiving and responding to the Articles.
The panel further argued that the Senate's instruction to return the Articles to the House did not strip it of jurisdiction, citing a Senate resolution affirming that the case remained neither dismissed nor terminated. They affirmed that the Court retained authority, demonstrated by its issuance of a summons and transmission of the Articles to Duterte.
The panel also dismissed Duterte's reliance on Senate Resolution No. 1013, which she claimed indicated no formal presentation of the Articles, by pointing out that the resolution was never adopted and held no legal significance.
In addressing Duterte's invocation of Supreme Court jurisprudence, prosecutors accused her of misrepresenting an SC decision, emphasizing that the ruling clearly states the Senate's continuing nature, allowing it to maintain non-legislative functions such as impeachment trials across congressional transitions.
They also refuted Duterte's claim that the impeachment proceedings breached the one-year bar rule, explaining that the verified complaint, signed by one-third of the House members, was filed on February 5, constituting the only complaint 'initiated' under the constitution.
Responding to allegations of denied due process, prosecutors highlighted that the verified complaint filed under Rule IV already constituted the Articles of Impeachment, eliminating the need for committee hearings or respondent participation at the House level. Rule IV specifies that a verified complaint/resolution filed by at least one-third of all House members should be endorsed to the Senate similarly to an approved House bill.
The prosecutors asserted that the Senate trial is the appropriate forum for Duterte to address the charges against her.
They also addressed Duterte's objection to the use of her livestreamed statements and interviews as evidence, noting that she herself utilized televised interviews in her defense. The prosecution criticized her selective and self-serving application of legal principles.
Accusing Duterte of perpetuating false statements and misrepresentations that could violate ethical standards for lawyers, the prosecution claimed she continued to mislead the Impeachment Court with inaccuracies and false contentions. They further argued that the constitutional mandate permits an impeachment to be initiated by one Congress and tried by the next, citing past jurisprudence affirming the Senate's continuing role in legislative and non-legislative functions.
The panel concluded that the defense's legal strategy is primarily focused on dismissing the case to avoid trial, based on misleading claims and baseless procedural objections.
