MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to expedite the processing of the impeachment complaint against seven Supreme Court justices who voted to oust former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Arroyo said she will transmit the impeachment complaint filed by four lawmakers against the seven SC justices to the House Committee Rules by Friday afternoon.
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"The most important thing is to expedite it one way or another so that it does not really disturb the legislative agenda," Arroyo told reporters, based on a video posted by ABS-CBN News.
The speaker said the House secretary general already sent her the complaint for her signature on Friday morning. The House committee on rules can have the complaint read out by Tuesday once Arroyo signs it.
The complaint against the justices for ruling in favor of an ouster petition filed by a Duterte ally and backed by administration allies is not expected to prosper at the House,.
On Thursday, opposition lawmakers filed the impeachment complaint against the justices who voted for the quo warranto petition against Sereno.
Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list), Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao) and Tom Villarin (Akbayan Citizens' Action party-list) submitted the impeachment complaint before the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers accused Associate Justices Associate Justices Teresita De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. — Patricia Lourdes Viray