MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday urged his colleagues in the Senate to comply with the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that nullified the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, warning that ignoring the decision could trigger a constitutional crisis and damage the country’s credibility.
“Personally, ang posisyon ko bilang abogado ay ito: Nag-desisyon ang Korte Suprema, sangayon ka man do’n o hindi, dapat ito’y sundin. Kung hindi, magkakaroon tayo ng constitutional crisis at baka tignan tayo ng mga karatig bansa natin at ibang tao na isang banana republic kung saan sinusunod lang natin ang gusto natin,” Escudero said in a press conference.
While emphasizing that the Senate will ultimately decide as a body, Escudero made clear that he sees no legal justification for going against the high tribunal’s decision.
“Ito ay pagpapasyahan namin pero wala akong nakikitang rason at dahilan para hindi namin sundan at sundin ito. Maliwanag ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema — the impeachment complaint is null and void ab initio, meaning from the beginning,” he said.
The Supreme Court, voting 13-0 on July 25, ruled the impeachment complaint unconstitutional, citing the one-year prohibition on such filings under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution. The Court also noted that Duterte’s right to due process was violated.
Escudero said the matter is not on the formal agenda but expects it to be brought up during the Senate’s caucus.
“Wala sa agenda subalit tiyak akong mapag-uusapan ‘yun dahil imposible namang hindi. That is considered what we may call the elephant in the room, so malamang mapag-uusapan ‘yun mamaya,” he said.
He also cautioned against convening an impeachment court following the SC ruling, saying it may be more prudent for the Senate itself to address the matter directly.
“Sa tingin ko mas safe na Senado ang magpapasya kaugnay nito imbis na impeachment court dahil baka matignan pa na paglabag ang pag-convene ng impeachment court matapos ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema,” Escudero added.
Escudero was recently reelected Senate President at the opening session of the 20th Congress./PN
