The Senate cannot operate under two leaders, two secretaries, or two clerks of court in handling the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the House prosecution panel said as it raised concern over the unresolved leadership dispute in the upper chamber.
The statement came as previously announced dates for the impeachment proceedings draw closer, including the expected submission of pre-trial documents on June 15, the pre-trial conference on June 18, and the trial proper on July 6.
Lead House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said the Constitution does not provide for an “interim administration” where two competing Senate factions would jointly run the chamber.
“The Constitution does not provide for interim administration. Ang hirap din i-conceive na dalawa ang Senate president, dalawa ang Senate secretaries, dalawa ang clerk of court. There has to be only one because that’s what the Constitution provides,” Luistro said in a news conference.
The prosecution panel said it would follow the position of the House leadership, which has recognized the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and his designation as acting Senate President.
“And with respect to the 11 prosecutors, we have manifested already our position, kung na saan ang House nandoon kami, kung ang rinerecognize ng House ay ang leadership ni Acting SP Win, then we are recognizing the same leadership,” Luistro said.
She said the panel has confidence in the present Senate leadership, the same way it had recognized the previous leadership when it was in place.
The House prosecutors stressed that the impeachment trial must proceed regardless of who sits as Senate president or presiding officer, saying the process is a constitutional duty and not a matter of personalities.
“Remember that this is a constitutional duty. This is not a question of sino ba ang Senate president, sino ba ang presiding officer, sino ba ang clerk of court? This is a question of proceeding, to trying the case and rendering judgment afterwards. This is not a question of personality,” Luistro said.
She reiterated that once the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment, the Constitution requires the Senate to proceed with trial “forthwith.”
“What the Constitution mandates is very simple and clear, trial forthwith. It does not mention about personalities or position. And after trial forthwith, judgment, which is either conviction or acquittal,” she noted.