After Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case was sent back to the House of Representatives, lawmakers stood their ground, describing the Senate’s decision as a clear violation of the constitution.
Speaking at an exclusive interview at DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday, June 10, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua lamented the outcome of Tuesday evening’s voting.
“Ito pong ginawa ng ating mga ginagalang na senador ay nakakagulat at nakakabigla. Hindi po natin ito inaasahan. Sa ating pong paniniwala ito po ay unconstitutional, o sa madaling salita ito po ay maliwanag na pag labag sa ating Saligang Batas,” he explained.
“Dahil ang nakasaad sa ating saligang batas sila po ang dapat na magdedesisyon o maghi-hear ng trial at hindi po para mag desisyon kung ito ay ibabalik sa amin,” he added.
Amidst the divided stance on the Senate’s voting result, Chua said Congress has yet to discuss what steps it should take. However, he assured that they would discuss the matter as a group, more importantly, as public prosecutors.
Echoing the sentiment of other lawmakers, Chua explained that the Vice President’s impeachment trial should move forward. However, the Senate did the complete opposite.
“Wala po sa kanilang kapangyarihan ang kanila pong ginawa. Sila po ay umakto na bilang abogado ng depensa,” Chua expressed.
“Ito pong mga motion, mga ganito pong klaseng, diskarte dapat ang gagawa po niyan ay yung mga abogado ng depensa. Pero ang nangyari sila na rin yung nag abogado para sa depensa,” he added.
The lawmaker reiterated his disappointment and explained that under the rules of impeachment, the Senate should act impartially, considering they would act as Senator Judges.
“Pero ang nangyari po parang nilabas na po nila ang kanilang [tunay na] kulay, hindi pa naman nagsisimula ang hearing. Ang Kamara po kasi [ang] trabaho po namin mag prosecute. [Habang ang] trabaho po ng Senado bilang judge ay mag try. Eh trial po ito,” Chua emphasized.
“Kaya po tayo nandirito para malaman kung ano ang katotohanan. Dahil yun naman po ang trabaho natin bilang isang demokratikong bansa. Sana po gawin po natin kung ano ang tama lamang,” the lawmaker added.
Despite all that’s happening, Chua explained that there should be no confusion about the submitted impeachment complaints.
“Kaya nga po binabanggit ko na unconstitutional. Sa madaling salita, ang mga gumawa nito ay maliwanag na lumabag sa ating Saligang Batas. At sila po ay naumpa bilang senador, na sila po ay susunod sa mga alituntunin,” he said.
On Tuesday evening, the Senate voted to send back the impeachment complaint against the Vice President to the House of Representatives, seeking further clarification on the issues cited in the document.
