Progressives in the House of Representatives lambasted Vice President Sara Duterte’s attempt to secure a restraining order from the Supreme Court (SC), saying she is clutching at straws to evade removal from office.
The Makabayan Coalition of progressive lawmakers said Duterte’s petition on Tuesday is ignoring the fact that the House of Representatives (HoR) is in fact being unduly deliberate, further prolonging the impeachment process.
“The impeachment proceedings have followed established rules and due process at every step. Instead of facing the allegations squarely and answering the issues raised, the Vice President is once again running to the Supreme Court, grasping at straws in an attempt to scuttle proceedings that are clearly moving forward within the bounds of the Constitution and the House’s authority,” Makabayan reacted to Duterte’s move.
Duterte petitioned the court by herself this time, following a similar petition by her supporters including lawyers Israelito Torreon, Vic Rodriguez, among others, in her behalf last month.
‘Proceedings violates Duterte’s rights’
In a 58-page petition for certiorari and prohibition, Duterte said the ongoing proceedings to remove her and permanently ban from public office are “unconstitutional” and should be declared void from the beginning.
Duterte said that the HoR process, particularly the latter’s Committee on Justice (CoJ) is “marred by grave abuse of discretion,” pointing out that the HoR failed to act as a collective body when it referred the complaints to the justice panel, instead of the Committee on Rules.
The vice president also claimed that the two approved impeachment complaints against her violated the one-year ban rule under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
She added that the “mini-trial” ongoing being the CoJ encroaches on the powers of the Senate as the sole conductor of an impeachment trial.
“[T]he proceedings conducted by respondent Committee on Justice remarkably show grave abuse of discretion and reek of double standards in the treatment of impeachment complaints referred to it, and evince a clear fishing expedition, resulting in the violation of petitioner’s constitutional rights to due process, presumption of innocence, and equal protection of the laws,” Duterte’s petition reads.
Duterte has mentioned that the impeachment proceedings against her since last year are attempts by the camp of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to eliminate her from the presidential elections in 2028.
Duterte ‘getting desperate’
But the Makabayan Coalition said the vice president’s gambit becomes all the more urgent for her camp precisely because the hearings are poised to proceed to the presentation of witnesses, documentary evidence, and other materials that can establish probable cause and lay bare the serious questions surrounding the use of public funds and the exercise of power.
“The public has the right to know the truth, and public officials—especially at the highest levels—have the duty to answer for their actions,” Makabayan said, urging Duterte to submit to the constitutional process and allow herself the chance to belie the accusations.
Duterte is being accused to irregular spending of public funds, threatening the lives of President Marcos and her family, among other acts “betraying public trust.”
CoJ member Rep. Terry Ridon meanwhile assured the proceedings against Duterte would continue despite the restraining order request.
“It is time (for Duterte) to face the truth,” Ridon said, as they are well on their way into looking into issues related to her confidential funds, alleged unexplained wealth, and alleged threats against the President.
“We are now in the middle of a constitutional process of accountability. We will continue the proceedings until the very end,” Ridon said.
On Wednesday, the Bicol Saro representative explained that the non-granting of a restraining order by the Supreme Court means the continuation of the process.
“See you on April 14,” Ridon said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
