Groups call on Chiz, gov't to start VP Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA — Various groups on Thursday reiterated their demand for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte — who is facing allegations that include an alleged misuse of confidential funds — to start.

Duterte has denied allegations and dismissed them as politically motivated. She has also filed a petition at the Supreme Court questioning the legality of her impeachment.

In a press conference in Quezon City, Tindig Pilipinas, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa, and SIKLAB, as well as Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio appealed especially to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to start the trial.

Although processes like the filing of court documents has continued, the Senate Impeachment Court is not expected to meet before the 20th Congress convenes on July 28.

Akbayan Party president Rafaela David said Escudero should not use the Supreme Court order for the Senate and House to submit information on the case to “escape his constitutional duty” for the Senate to hold trial.

"The Senate must convene and hold the trial forthwith– agad-agad. Sara must answer the serious charges against her. Kaya no more excuses, no more delays mula kay Senate President Chiz,” she also said.

Some House members have said only a Temporary Restraining Order would stop the trial and that the House and Senate should proceed despite the SC order.

CARPIO: TRO FOR TRIAL UNLIKELY

Carpio, meanwhile, does not expect a TRO to be issued as he says the articles of impeachment and the process these went through complied with the constitution.

“Once the [Secretary-General] submits the answer of the House, it will be very clear that there was no violation of the constitution. And you usually [issue] a TRO if there was a clear violation of a law or the constitution,” Carpio said.

Carpio believes the only "material" question posed by the SC is whether or not the House of Representatives violated the 10-session day rule, or the need to act on an impeachment complaint within 10 session days.

“And if that resolution is within the 10 session days, automatically under the constitution, that prevails over the earlier impeachment complaints, and that now shall constitute the articles of impeachment that will be transmitted to the Senate,” Carpio said.

House impeaches VP Sara Duterte

“I’ve been asking around, and it looks like that the House did comply with the 10-session day rule. But of course, let the House establish that before the Supreme Court,” he also said.

Carpio also said there may have been judicial overreach in the SC  asking whether or not Duterte was given the opportunity to be heard on the evidence shared with House members.

While the Senate has the sole power to try and decide on impeachment cases, the Supreme Court has the power to strike down any act of the legislative and the executive that violates the constitution, he said.

And while some of the information requested by the SC is related to parts of the constitution on impeachment, he said this does not include anything about Duterte’s right to be heard before the articles are transmitted to the Senate.

“Wala nang hearing because the opportunity to be heard is now in the Senate. So there is no process there where VP Sara Duterte has a right to be heard.”

The groups, as well as Seniors on the Move and Youth Resist, also asked Filipinos to join mass actions on July 22 and July 25 to amplify their calls for the impeachment trial to begin as soon as possible.

The activity next Tuesday will be at the Supreme Court, Padre Faura Street in Manila and will start at 9 a.m. Organizers expect 300 to 500 people to attend.

Tindig Pilipinas sees around 10,000 to 15,000 people will participate in next Friday’s event at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.