The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has moved past procedural objections and should now proceed to the presentation of evidence, House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said.
He said the issues raised by Duterte’s camp in her answer to the Articles of Impeachment are now for the Senate impeachment court to resolve as the proceedings shift toward trial proper.
“Lahat po ng mga nire-raise po nila wala na ’yan. Sa paglilitis po dito na lamang po ay presentation ng mga kani-kaniyang ebidensya,” he noted.
He made the statement when asked about Duterte’s 51-page answer, where she asked the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the case, claiming the proceedings were void, done in bad faith, and tainted by constitutional and procedural defects.
He declined to discuss the merits of Duterte’s arguments, saying the matter is already before the impeachment court.
Instead, he cited the manifestation filed by the House prosecution panel, which argued that the Senate impeachment court’s constitutional duty is to conduct a trial and not to entertain a motion to dismiss.
“Ang tanging trabaho nito ay mag-conduct ng trial at hindi entertainin ang motion to dismiss,” he said, referring to the impeachment court.
He said an impeachment case may only be terminated after the court renders judgment.
“Ang tanging paraan para ito ma-dismiss ‘pag nag-render na ng desisyon ang impeachment court. Ang desisyon nito ay dalawa lamang. It’s either acquittal or conviction,” he said.
He also pointed to the constitutional provision stating that an impeachment “trial shall proceed forthwith,” arguing that the Senate impeachment court should not decide the case without first hearing the evidence.
He likewise rejected Duterte’s challenge to the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Justice, noting that similar issues have already been raised before the Supreme Court.
“So kami po ay naniniwala na ang impeachment court hindi ito dapat tumugon. Bakit po? Kasi parang pinangungunahan nila ang Korte Suprema,” Chua said.
He added that allowing the impeachment court to review how the House handled the complaint would effectively turn the Senate into an appellate body over the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker said this would run counter to the Constitution, which grants the House the exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to begin the trial proper on July 6.
Duterte is facing impeachment allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and threats against the country’s top officials.