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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leader backs Escudero's call for impartiality on VP Sara's impeachment

House leader backs Escudero's call for impartiality on VP Sara's impeachment

Published Dec 6, 2024 05:53 am

At A Glance

  • Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega voiced his approval for Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero's appeal to senators to refrain from making public statements about the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

chiz escudero.jpgSenate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero (Senate PRIB)

Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega voiced his approval for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero's appeal to senators to refrain from making public statements about the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

To ensure impartiality, Ortega said senators should refrain from “prejudging” cases that may come before them.

“Kasi wala naman pong judge na sasabihin niya na pabor siya o hindi pabor sa ganitong kaso,” the lawmaker said in a press conference.

(Because no judge will say that they are in favor or not in favor of a case.)

“Kahit saan pong judiciary kayo pumunta, wala pong judge na pupunta sa social media o kaya man lang sa publication na sasabihin niya na hindi ako pabor sa ganito, hindi ako pabor sa impeachment—wala pong gumagawa noon,” he added.

(No matter which judiciary you go to, no judge will go on social media or even to a publication to say that they are not in favor of this, not in favor of impeachment—no one does that.)

In an earlier statement, Escudero advised his colleagues to remain impartial as he stressed that any perception of bias would undermine “not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public's trust in the Senate as an institution”.

“Kaya nga nagbigay ng word of caution si Senate President. At tama naman po, ’yun naman po dapat ang gawin na, if ever it reaches the Senate,” said Ortega.

(That's why the Senate President gave a word of caution. And that's correct, that is what should be done if it ever reaches the Senate.)

Duterte is facing two impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives.

Filed on Monday and Wednesday, complainants from various civil society and sectoral groups accused the Vice President of misuse of public funds, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Based on the Constitution, the House has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.

Once a verified complaint is filed, it is referred to the House Committee on Justice, which determines its sufficiency in form and substance.

With a maximum of 60 session days, if the panel finds the complaint sufficient, it would submit a report to the House plenary.

After which, a vote of at least one-third of all House members is required to approve the articles of impeachment, which are then transmitted to the Senate for trial.

The Senate, which has the sole power to decide all cases of impeachment, would be able to convict the official with two-thirds of votes from all its members.

Related Tags

Senate of the Philippines Impeachment Chiz Escudero Sara Duterte paolo Ortega
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