SC requires VP Sara Duterte, lawyers to comment on House appeal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday required Vice President Sara Duterte and several lawyers to comment on the appeal filed by the House of Representatives against the High Court’s ruling that barred Duterte’s impeachment case.

According to the SC, it required Duterte, lawyers Israelito Torreon, and others to comment on the motion within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice.

GMA News Online has asked for their comment and will publish their response once available.

In its motion for reconsideration filed Monday, the House said that it should be allowed to perform its exclusive duty to prosecute an impeachable official, and the Senate's to try the case.

The SC earlier declared that the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte are barred by the one-year rule under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution.

The SC also ruled that the articles violate the right to due process.

It said that due to this, the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings.

Atty. Michael Poa, Duterte's legal counsel and impeachment spokesperson, said they "will comply with the order of the Supreme Court and submit our comment within the period provided."

Immediately executory

Meanwhile, the SC reiterated that the decision is immediately executory.

SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting also answered in the affirmative when asked if the motion for reconsideration does not affect immediately executory nature of the ruling.

The Court also asked Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon, political analyst Richard Heydarian, and Akbayan Representative Percival Cendaña to comment within 10 days on the indirect contempt petitions filed against them.

The petitions were filed over their remarks on the SC’s ruling.

Cendaña’s office said he will file the appropriate pleading upon receipt of the court’s order. —AOL, GMA Integrated News