VP Sara's petition to stop impeachment trial won't go anywhere; solon explains why

Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor is convinced that the Supreme Court (SC) will exercise "judicial restraint" as far as Vice President Sara Duterte's petition to halt the Senate impeachment trial is concerned. 

“I have yet to read the petition. But as a rule, impeachment is a political question and the [SC] will exercise judicial restraint," Defensor said.

"It will not interfere with the impeachment process,” noted the lawyer-solon and member of the 11-strong House prosecution team against the impeached Vice President.

The complaint containing the seven impeachment charges against Duterte was signed by 215 House members, more than double the 103 required for a petition to go directly to the Senate for trial.

There is growing public clamor for senators to convene themselves into an impeachment court for the purpose of trying Vice President Duterte.

However, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has said the trial could start after the incoming 20th Congress convenes in July.

The 19th Congress is still ongoing, although a few sessions days are left. And because of the mid-term elections in May 12, both congressmen and senators are on recess until June 2.

The Vice President’s petition is separate from the one with the same prayer filed by some Mindanao-based lawyers associated with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

While the two petitions seek to stop the Vice President’s trial, another complaint is asking the SC to compel senators to convene as an impeachment court and proceed with the trial immediately.