SC may tackle petition on Sara impeach trial today

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court may take up today in full session a petition seeking to compel the Senate to start immediately the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The case was raffled today and will possibly be included in tomorrow’s agenda, along with other petitions,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said yesterday in a statement.

Catalino Generillo Jr., a former Presidential Commission on Good Government special government counsel, filed the petition before the high court last Feb. 14.

In his 22-page petition for mandamus, Generillo said the Constitution does not permit the Senate to delay its duty during recess, adding that the chamber must promptly constitute itself as an impeachment court to try the Vice President.

Meanwhile, opposition coalition 1Sambayan has urged Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to release the results of the military’s investigation on the utilization of the confidential funds allocated to the office of Vice President Duterte.

Specifically, the group asked Teodoro to release information on the investigation on Duterte’s two military aides – Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolas – who were earlier reported to have handled the funds.

“This matter has raised significant public interest and as concerned citizens, we respectfully seek clarity regarding the details of the investigation and its findings,” read 1Sambayan’s letter, which was signed by its convenors retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio and lawyer Howard Calleja.

The group asked Teodoro to clarify if the military’s investigation was able to confirm whether Lachica and Nolasco turned over the P125 million to Duterte and through which channels.

It also asked for clarification on the payments listed in the liquidation report.

1Sambayan also asked if the two military aides are still in possession of the P125 million or if it “has it been accounted for in accordance with the established processes.”

“The public’s right to understand the details of such an investigation is essential, especially in light of the significant public funds involved,” 1Sambayan’s letter read.

“Transparency in this matter is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the institutions involved, as well as ensuring accountability in the management of government resources,” it added.

Prep work vital, says 1Sambayan

In a separate letter to Senate President Francis Escudero, the 1Sambayan convenors called for the start of essential preparatory work for Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“While the impeachment process itself requires careful attention to legal and procedural details, the importance of preparatory work required for an efficient trial cannot be overstated,” Carpio and Calleja’s letter read.

They specifically requested for the revision of the impeachment rules to simplify and make the proceedings efficient by authorizing the Senate president to issue summons to the impeached official to respond to the articles of impeachment.

“Additionally, the Senate President should be authorized to require the submission of names of witnesses and their judicial affidavits in place of direct testimony, with copies provided to the opposing counsel,” it added.

1Sambayan said the Senate president should be authorized to order the preservation of records related to the case that are housed in government offices, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“These matters are vital to the fulfillment of the Senate’s ‘sole power to try and decide’ impeachment cases. Taking these steps now will ensure that the proceedings progress smoothly and without unnecessary delays,” the group said.

In a related development, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez reminded his colleagues yesterday that their mandate is to pass laws, and not to seek punishment.

Alvarez, representative of the first district of Davao del Norte, under whose leadership former senator Leila de Lima was investigated in 2017 for her alleged drug links, said it is not for them to determine the guilt of a person, regardless of his stature in government.

“I fully understand that sometimes Congress sees itself as a court because it is intoxicated with power. Take the case of quad comm: if they don’t like the answers (of their guests), they’re cited in contempt right away and have the resource persons detained,” he said.

The former House speaker issued the statement in response to pronouncements from administration lawmakers that the criminal case filed by pro-Duterte groups against Speaker Martin Romualdez before the ombudsman was erroneous because the bicameral conference committee also has senators as members. — Delon Porcalla