Sara Duterte impeachment trial to continue despite SC petition

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will proceed even with a petition before the Supreme Court to halt the trial until the question of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero's authority to preside has been resolved, the trial's spokesperson said Tuesday.

In a press conference, attorney Reginald Tongol explained that any individual may raise any issues to the High Court. But should the SC indeed issue a temporary restraining order, he said the impeachment court shall vote on the matter.

“I think pagbubotohan po ‘yun ng impeachment court as a collegial body,” Tongol said.

(I think the impeachment court as a collegial body will vote on that.)

“Because this is a collegial body, not a single person can speak for the body. So mas mabuti pong pagbobotohan kung susundan ng Kongreso o ng Senado ‘yung mga ganong order from another co-equal branch of government,” he added.

(Because this is a collegial body, not a single person can speak for the body. So it would be better to vote if the Congress or the Senate would follow such orders from another co-equal branch of government.)

In a very urgent manifestation with motion filed on Monday, several lawyers led by Israelito Torreon asked the SC to issue a status quo ante order barring the impeachment court and its officers from proceeding with the trial until the question over Escudero's authority to preside has been settled.

The petitioners also asked the SC to issue orders ensuring that the trial proceeds only under Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials that were validly adopted and under a presiding officer whose authority is free from any unresolved constitutional challenge.

Asked if the trial will continue despite the petition, Tongol answered in the affirmative.

“Tama po dahil wala namang pong in-issue na TRO or status quo ante-order,” he said.

(That’s correct because no TRO or status quo ante order has been issued.)

Tongol also said that the Senate will respect the sub judice rule and the impeachment court will refrain from further commenting on the matter.

“As the presiding officer said yesterday and was confirmed earlier, any person can raise the matter. Pwede po nilang i-exhaust yung kanilang mga legal remedies and ‘yun po ‘yung nakita natin [they can exhaust their legal remedies and that's what we see],” he said.

Tuesday was the second day of the impeachment trial, which will continue on Wednesday. — BM, GMA News