House rejects Sara Duterte camp’s filing of entry due to missing label
House of Representatives — File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The entry of appearance made by Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyers for the impeachment trial was not accepted by the House of Representatives because the document had no label, two officials said on Thursday.
In an interview at the Batasang Pambansa complex, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco was asked why the entry of Duterte’s lawyers was not accepted.
In response, Velasco said that the contents of the document were not stated when it was forwarded to the House — and since the House plenary instructed them to defer acceptance of the returned articles of impeachment, the officer who was set to receive the document did not accept the entry.
“Well I think the content of the document was not declared. As you know, we have been instructed by the plenary, during the last session right, not to accept the articles of impeachment,” he said mostly in Filipino.
“So, we’re waiting for the prosecution panel to make a decision. Because, you are aware that the last session ‘di ba passed a resolution confirming that the articles of impeachment were adopted and transmitted to the Senate based on the Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives. So, there was no reason why it’s being remanded to us,” he added.
Velasco was referring to the articles of impeachment which were sent back to the House by the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court. On the last day of the 19th Congress session, on June 11, the House passed a resolution certifying that the articles complied with Constitutional provisions and House rules, while ordering the Secretary General to defer acceptance of the impeachment documents.
The same stand was made by House spokesperson Princess Abante, noting that the entry of appearance was submitted without a cover letter and a formal explanation — which led to the non-acceptance of the document.
“Last June 16, a messenger tried to submit a document at the gate of the House complex. However, it was unclear where the document originated from and what type of document it was. There was no cover letter, no formal explanation. That’s why it was not accepted — not because it was rejected, but because there was a need to clarify the correct processes first,” Abante said in Filipino.
“There is no sinister intention. There is no rejection. What we are looking for is the proper identification of the document. If this is an Entry of Appearance, they should have mentioned that immediately so that it can be processed properly,” she added mostly in Filipino.
On Monday night, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol confirmed that Duterte’s counsel has entered its appearance, with a total of 16 lawyers defending her — including those from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm.
READ: Sixteen lawyers defending Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial
However, Tongol said that the House was “indicated in page 3 to have been copy furnished as well today at 3:42 pm, but has a note ‘Tender Copy refuse to receive’.”
Tongol said in an interview with DZMM on Tuesday that the House’s refusal to accept the document may delay the impeachment proceedings.
READ: House refusal to accept Duterte lawyers’ entry may delay trial – Senate
According to Abante, the entry of appearance is not a requirement for the impeachment trial of Duterte to proceed.
“The Entry of Appearance is not a requirement to push through with an impeachment trial. This has no effect on the flow of trial. And most importantly, it should not be a reason why trial has not started up to now,” she said in Filipino.
“The House has already complied with this duty. We have submitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. It is for the Senate to adhere to the next steps. If there is a delay, it is not from the House,” she added in Filipino.
Abante also appealed to Tongol not to confuse the public.
“Amid these issues, our appeal to the Senate’s spokesperson is: We hope they would not confuse the public. Do not use a clerical detail to pin the blame on the House. This is just a small detail that is blown out of proportion to make it appear that there is a sinister intent behind it, when the staffers’ intentions were clear — they just want to follow processes, not cause problems,” she pointed out in Filipino.
“Let us not turn this process into a television series. The impeachment is not about playing victim or narratives — it is for the truth, accountability, and justice,” she added in Filipino.
Abante’s stand is similar to that of prosecution spokesperson Antonio Bucoy, who said on Tuesday that while he does not know the exact reason why acceptance of the entry was deferred, no damage was done because the phrase “tender copy refuse to receive” indicates that it was as if the document was received.
READ: Spox: No issue with House refusal of Duterte lawyers’ papers
Duterte was impeached last February 5, after 215 lawmakers filed and signed a verified impeachment complaint against her. The articles of impeachment were immediately sent to the Senate as the Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution states that a trial should proceed forthwith if one-thirds of House members file the complaint.
As one-third of 306 House members is 102, the requirement was fulfilled. However, trial did not start as the articles of impeachment were not sent to the Senate plenary before session adjourned for the election season break.
Duterte’s impeachment was hinged on different issues, like allegations of confidential fund misuse within her offices which were uncovered during the hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, and threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez assassinated. /jpv
