The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte said it will comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to respond to the House of Representatives’ motion for reconsideration (MR) on the ruling that declared the impeachment case against her 'unconstitutional.'
“We will comply with the Order of the Supreme Court and submit our Comment within the period provided,” said Atty. Michael Poa, spokesperson of the Vice President’s defense team, in a statement on Tuesday, August 5.
The SC earlier ruled in a unanimous 13-0 decision that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte were unconstitutional, citing violations of the Constitution’s “one-year bar rule” under Article XI, Section 3(5), and a lack of due process in the House’s proceedings.
In response, the House Prosecution Team, through the Office of the Solicitor General and the Philippine Judiciary portal, filed a motion for reconsideration on Monday, August 4. The MR seeks to overturn the Court’s July 25 decision.
The SC has given Duterte and other petitioners, including the Mindanao-based legal group led by Atty. Israelito Torreon, a non-extendible period of ten (10) days to submit their comment on the motion.
“This decision is immediately executory,” the SC maintained that its July 25 decision.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier said that the Senate is expected to act on the impeachment matter by Wednesday, August 6, although the Court’s decision may impact further proceedings.
