Mindanao lawyers’ group: Senate’s move ‘sets dangerous precedent’
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A Mindanao lawyers’ group here condemns the Senate’s move to remand the Article of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, saying it was meant to delay the pursuit of justice and accountability and a betrayal of the senate’s constitutional duty.
“This regressive move, coming after months of undue delay, gravely undermines the clear mandate of the Constitution to ensure accountability from public officials and ultimately, subverts the public’s right to demand justice,” said the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) in a statement signed by Lawyer Antonio Azarcon, UPLM chair and Lawyer Arvin Dexter Lopoz, UPLM spokesperson.
“The Senate’s decision to remand the impeachment articles is a disingenuous maneuver that functionally dismisses the impeachment case againstVice President Duterte,” it added.
READ: Sara Duterte impeachment court opens, but raps ‘remanded’ to House
“This is a betrayal of its constitutional duty and a clear attempt to shield a high-ranking official from accountability.”
According to the group, the Constitution “unequivocally commands the Senate to forthwith proceed” with the trial upon transmission of the articles of impeachment by the House of Representatives. “’Forthwith’ means without delay, immediately. This categorically means that the impeachment trial must ensue,” said the group’s statement.
The lawyers also pointed out that there was “no provision for the senate, sitting as impeachment court, to send back the articles or delay the proceedings based on perceived “constitutional infirmities” that the lawyers said could “be addressed during the trial itself.”
The group stressed that the impeachment process is a cornerstone of the country’s democratic system, that it was designed to hold the “highest” public officials accountable for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes.
“By refusing to proceed with the trial, the senate is not only obstructing justice but also sending a dangerous message that powerful individuals can evade the constitutional mechanisms put in place to ensure their fidelity to the people,” the group said.
The statement also warned that such a move by the senate sets a perilous precedent, “further weakening our institutions and eroding public trust in the rule of law,” the group said.
UPLM called on the Senate to reconsider and reverse its decision.
“We strongly urge them to fulfill their constitutional mandate and proceed with the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte without any further delay.”
“The people’s right to demand accountability from their leaders must not be trampled upon by political maneuvering and self-serving interests,” the statement added. /cb
