Lagman to House leaders: Abandonment of power to impeach is 'treason'

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) on Friday said the abandonment of his colleagues of their constitutionally mandated power to initiate impeachment proceedings is treason.

In a statement, Lagman said the leadership of the House of Representatives committed “treason” against the chamber when it forfeited its power to “initiate impeachment proceedings in the wake of [a] power grab by eight justices of the Supreme Court.”

The opposition lawmaker is pertaining to Maria Lourdes Sereno’s ouster as chief justice.

The former chief justice was removed from her position through a voting of her peers on a quo warranto petition instead of an impeachment case as stated in the Constitution.

“The articles of impeachment submitted more than a month ago by the House Committee on Justice to the Committee on Rules has not been calendared for plenary deliberation and voting,” Lagman pointed out.

Treason is defined under Republic Act 10951 as: “Any Filipino citizen who levies war against the Philippines or adheres to her enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippines or elsewhere.”

Lagman added: “The House leaders, particularly Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, have unilaterally deferred to the 'finality' of the 8-6 High Court decision unseating the Chief Magistrate without following the constitutionally mandated impeachment process."

The reluctant stance of the House leaders to assert the Congress’ power on pursuing the impeachment of Sereno is echoed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Sotto on Tuesday said that he is not keen on urging the SC to review its decision that voided Sereno’s appointment as chief justice. But he assured that should the resolution be brought to the floor, it would be debated on to “hear both sides.”

READ: Sotto on quo warranto resolution: I don't interfere with the Judiciary

The deliberation on the Senate resolution questioning the quo warranto ruling is set on Monday, May 28.

The House’s “Magnificent Seven,” that includes Lagman, said earlier this week that if the eight justices who voted for Sereno’s ouster fails to recant their votes, they might face impeachment complaints.

They said that the eight magistrates should be impeached for their alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, which are grounds for impeachment.

READ: 'Magnificent Seven' threatens impeachment if vote to oust Sereno not reversed