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Holy Spirit or Constitution? Chua says the latter is the best guide in impeachment proceedings

Philippines | National

Holy Spirit or Constitution? Chua says the latter is the best guide in impeachment proceedings

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

The best guiding force in the impeachment proceedings is the country's Constitution, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua said on Wednesday, June 11.

Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (left), Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (PPAB, Facebook)

Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (left), Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (PPAB, Facebook)

The best guiding force in the impeachment proceedings is the country’s Constitution, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua said on Wednesday, June 11.

In a press conference, Chua was asked to react to Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's statement on Tuesday, June 10 wherein the latter claimed to be "guided by the Holy Spirit".

"l am not a lawyer, nag-iisip lang (i just think). l am just guided by the Holy Spirit," Dela Rosa was quoted as saying.

Tuesday was the same day that Dela Rosa, a senator-judge, moved to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte outright, without the conduct of a constitutionally-mandated trial. His motion was ultimately amended, and as a result the Senate sent back the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives.

Commenting on Dela Rosa's remarks, Chua, an actual lawyer, said he would rahter be guided by the so-called "supreme law of the land" when it comes to such proceedings.

"Lahat naman tayo 'yun ang gusto natin, gabayan tayo ng Holy Spirit. Pero ang pinakatamang gabay po dito sa impeachment proceeding ay ang ating Saligang Batas (All of us have that desire, to be guided by the Holy Spirit. But the most appropriate guide here in the impeachment proceedings is our Constitution)," he said.

Chua is one of 11 solon-prosecutors tasked to get a guilty verdict on Vice President Duterte based on any one of seven articles of impeachment.

Dela Rosa is a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

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