Sara Duterte's camp says SC ruling on impeachment 'upheld the rule of law'

MANILA (UPDATED) — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against her was unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar under the Constitution.

Michael Poa, the spokesperson of Duterte's defense team, said in a statement that the ruling affirmed their stance that the articles of impeachment against her was "constitutionally infirm".

"This unanimous decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process," Poa said. "We remain prepared to address the allegations at the proper time and before the appropriate forum."

"We remain prepared to address the allegations at the proper time and before the appropriate forum," he added.

DIFFERING OPINIONS

Several lawmakers, meanwhile, voiced differing opinions on the Supreme Court's ruling. 

The decision was in response to a petition filed by Duterte's team in February, which requested a temporary restraining order and argued that the three complaints logged against the vice president in the lower chamber had already initiated the impeachment proceedings.

Supreme Court blocks VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

Senator Risa Hontiveros called the high court's decision "disappointing", saying it has short-term and long-term consequences in holding erring public officials accountable.

"Isa sa ipinagtataka natin ay kung paano naviolate ang “one year bar rule” ngayong iisa lang naman ang kaso na iniakyat sa Senado, ayon na rin sa desisyon mismo ng Korte Suprema sa Gutierrez vs. House of Representatives (G.R. No. 193459)," she said in a statement.

(One of the puzzling things here is how the "one year bar rule" was violated when the House submitted only one complaint to the Senate, which was also based on the Supreme Court’s own ruling in Gutierrez vs. House of Representatives (G.R. No. 193459).

While the SC clarified that it did not absolve Duterte from any charges against her and the complaint can still be re-filed, Hontiveros stressed the decision still set "disturbing questions."

She said she hopes the high court's "overwhelming number of requirements" just to start an impeachment process would not be a hindrance "in holding highest public officers accountable" in the future.

"Lahat ng opisyal ng bayan ay may pananagutan sa bawat Pilipino (All public servants are accountable to every Filipino), and the constitutional right of the people to hold their highest officials accountable must always prevail. The people have every right to demand answers. Ipaglalaban namin ito (We will fight for it)," she added.

Senator Bam Aquino, meanwhile, called on his fellow senators to discuss what he called "a decision that disregards their constitutional duty."

He said he firmly believes the trial should continue.

"Bilang co-equal branch, malinaw ang mandato ng konstitusyon at kapangyarihan ng Senado, kaya nararapat na irespesto ang proseso ng impeachment," Aquino said in a statement.

(As a co-equal branch of government, the mandate of the Constitution and the powers of the Senate are clear, hence the impeachment process has to be respected.)

Senator Kiko Pangilinan echoed Aquino's sentiments, arguing the SC "handcuffed" the House and the Senate in their impeachment duties.

"Pinigil ang aming trabaho at mandato sa usapin ng public accountability. Co equal ang Senado at HoR sa SC," he said.

(Our work and mandate on public accountability were blocked. The Senate and HOR are co-equal with the SC.)

"Hindi ito tama (This isn't right)," he emphasized.

Duterte allies Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa welcomed the SC's decision.

Marcos said the ruling must be respected. She also urged her fellow senators to "get back to work" and prioritize the welfare of the citizens.

Dela Rosa meantime claimed that the "Holy Spirit" guided the SC's verdict.

"When I moved for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint vs VP Sara, I was guided by the Holy Spirit. When the SC ruled it as unconstitutional I’m sure they were guided also by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit defeated the forces of evil! Hallelujah!" he said.

'FILIPINOS, ACCOUNTABILITY LOST IN THE RULING' 

Progressive party-list groups criticized the SC's decision, saying it is questionable and undermines process to achieve accountability.

Kabataan Rep. Renee Co argued that "the ruling doused the youth's rage" against Duterte's alleged corruption. She said the administration's "new normal" is unacceptable, as it floods the Filipinos with lack of accountability and other issues.

Co called on the youth to join the mass mobilization in Commonwealth during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming State of the Nation Address.

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said the Filipinos lost from the high court's decision.

He affirmed that the process followed the Constitution in verifying the complaint, having it endorsed by more than one-third of the House, before being submitted as a lone case against Duterte.

"Sa desisyong ito, talo ang taumbayan. Talo ang pananagutan. Impeachment is about accountability," he said.

(With this decision, the people have lost. Accountability has lost. Impeachment is about accountability.)

"There was no violation of due process—only a demand to present the truth to the Filipino people," he added.

Diokno said they will not stop exerting efforts to hold the erring official accountable and that they will work with other progressive forces to defend democracy and attain justice.

Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the SC issued a "rare, irregular move" in not letting the House to file a comment.

She said the decision was "procedurally questionable".

"Paano naglabas ng pinal na desisyon kung wala pang pormal na tugon ang respondent? (How can a final decision be made if the respondent has no reply yet?) Even traffic violators are given more due process than what was accorded here. Isang desisyong walang patas na proseso ay isang desisyong nakabitin sa ere (A decision made without fair process is a decision hanging in the air)," she said.

But De Lima claimed — the fight rages on — as Filipinos should "not be used to having leaders who are not held accountable".

"I respect the Supreme Court. But in a case of this magnitude—transcendental constitutional importance—we must demand clarity, not shortcuts. The public deserves an explanation. The Court must account for this serious departure from established rules of procedure," she added.

UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION, RULE OF LAW 

The Senate impeachment court welcomed the decision, saying it has always "acted in deterrence to the Constitution and the rule of law."

The Senate added that it was "duty-bound to respect the finality of rulings issued by the High Court."

"This decision affirms the careful and deliberate posture taken by the Impeachment Court—that constitutional issues surrounding the Articles required clarity before trial proceedings could commence. The Court’s ruling validates the prudence and restraint exercised by the Senate majority in recognizing those legal uncertainties from the outset," said Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol in a statement.

The House — which charged Duterte in early February with graft, corruption and an alleged assassination plot against one-time ally and former running mate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  —  said it would "exhaust all remedies to protect the independence of Congress and preserve the sanctity of [its] constitutional role."

"This is not defiance. This is constitutional fidelity," said House spokesperson Princess Abante.

She said the "judicial interference" in the impeachment proceedings imposes risks that could "[undermine] the very principles of check and balances".

Malacanang meanwhile called on the public to respect the SC's decision.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said they have yet to review the full ruling of the high court.

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