VP Sara’s counsel defends SC ruling on impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal counsel has defended the decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss the “unconstitutional” Articles of Impeachment against her.

The statement came amid rebuttals from the House of Representatives and the possible filing of motion for reconsideration.

“Hiwalay naman ang mga committee hearings. If I’m not mistaken, sa aking interpretation, and tinatalakay ng Supreme Court doon ay 'yung due process mismo doon sa pag-initiate ng impeachment proceedings, which includes 'yung pagbibigay sa kaniya ng kaukulang pagkakataon upang sumagot doon sa draft articles of impeachment or draft impeachment complaint,” Atty. Michael Poa said in an Unang Balita report by Jonathan Andal on Monday.

(The committee hearings are separate. If I’m not mistaken with my interpretation, the Supreme Court tackled the due process on initiating the impeachment proceedings, which includes providing her with enough opportunities to answer the draft articles of impeachment or draft impeachment complaint.)

Poa also shared that their legal team is prepared for the impeachment trial, and will be waiting for what will happen at the impeachment court.

Earlier, House of Representatives spokesperson Atty. Priscilla Marie “Princess” Abante said that the bases for the dismissal of Duterte’s impeachment were “alarming.”

“Ang Kamara, matapos ang masusing pag-aaral, ay maghahain ng motion for reconsideration dahil ang desisyon na nagsasabing ang Articles of Impeachment na ipinadala sa Senado ay barred or unconstitutional ay nakaangkla sa mga factual premises o findings na mali at salungat sa opisyal na record ng Kamara,” she said.

(The House, after a thorough study, will file a motion for reconsideration because the decision declaring that the Articles of Impeachment transmitted to the Senate are barred or unconstitutional is based on factual premises or findings that are incorrect and contrary to the official records of the House.)

Abante noted that the decision made by the Supreme Court had incorrectly interpreted the timeline of the Congress’ movements, and based it on news articles instead of the official House Journal.

She also added that there were no clauses in the Constitution that states that Duterte must be informed regarding her impeachment, especially considering that it was signed by no less than 1/3 of the Congress.

“Nagbigay ang korte ng panibagong patakaran na wala naman sa umiiral na batas. Pinawalang bisa nila ang Articles of Impeachment base sa mga bagong pamantayan ng due process para sa respondent. Kung due process at opportunity to be heard ang usapan, ilang beses nang naimbitahan si Vice President Sara Duterte sa mga pagdinig ng committee. Nanatili siyang tikom ang bibig,” Abante said.

(The court provided new rules that were not included in the existing law. They have dismissed the Articles of Impeachment based on a new due process for the respondent. If we are talking about due process and opportunity to be heard, Vice President Sara Duterte had been invited in committee hearings several times. She remained quiet.)

As of Monday, the Congress yet to provide a specific date for the filing of motion for reconsideration. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News