Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that it filed a petition with the Supreme Court to clarify constitutional issues in her ongoing House impeachment hearing.
They emphasized the move aims to ensure compliance with the Constitution, not to evade the process.
“We confirm that a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition has been filed before the Supreme Court in relation to the ongoing proceedings before the House Committee on Justice. To be clear, this is not about avoiding the process. This is about ensuring that the process itself complies with the Constitution,” the statement said.
The team added that while the House has the power to initiate impeachment, “that power is not without limits.”
The defense team also stressed their respect for the SC and said they would refrain from publicly discussing the details while awaiting the Court’s action.
“Out of respect for the Court, we will refrain from discussing the details publicly and will await its action,” the statement read.
The petition reportedly challenges specific aspects of the impeachment process, arguing that certain actions may exceed constitutional bounds.
It can be recalled that a group of lawyers, headed by Isabelito Torreon, also filed a petition on March 28 requesting a temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction to halt the impeachment inquiry.
Meanwhile, some lawmakers assert that the impeachment process is a constitutional responsibility and warn that legal petitions should not be employed to obstruct congressional oversight.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima criticized the vice president’s decision to once again turn to the Supreme Court to halt proceedings that could lead to her removal from office.
“Akala siguro nila yung SC ay “Sara’s Court” na pwede nila laging takbuhan para pagtakpan ang kaduwagan at pagtakas sa pananagutan,” de Lima said.
