Pot stirring exercise

Sara has me confused.

VP Duterte has filed a case before the Supreme Court, praying that the highest court of the land issue a restraining order against the Senate and the looming impeachment trial against her that, to date, we are unsure whether it may or may not happen soon.

But sweetie, I thought you just said that impeachment was going to be even less painful than a couple’s breakup? Why then would you need the powers of the highest court of the land to stop something so trivial, it doesn’t measure up to a heartbreak?

Bluster, then. It was all tough words meant to show the public you’re one tough cookie. But the cookie is crumbling, and now, it’s powerhouse lawfirm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar to the rescue. And now you don’t even want to be tried. Prosecuted by dismissive Congressmen before the probing eyes of the Senate, forced to set aside enjoyable personal time you could have used to watch the latest K-drama just so you could attend the trial, and perhaps, even be maneuvered into testifying and answering questions from pesky lawyers --why would you want that? Plus, you’re going to be carefully scrutinized by millions of incorrigible gossips and armchair critics armed with deadly gadgets to slay you with cruel barbs and malicious jokes. None of that for Inday! Put like that, I wouldn’t wish it for myself either.

For sure, there will be revelations. As we sleep and go about our daily business, eager-beaver Congressional staff members are already digging and poring over the paper trail, eager to unearth damaging info. Secret subpoenas and requests are making their way to government offices and documents are floating over in response. After all, the prize at stake is the permanent disqualification of Sara from all future public offices. Goodbye, then, to her presidential bid!

Sara the fearless is thus bravely exploring all avenues to nip this pesky impeachment trial in the bud. While the Senators are nattering over exactly when they would put on their best TV-worthy outfits, Sara has gone to court.

Actually, even the schedule of the impeachment trial is confusing, with Senate President Chiz Escudero not inclined to proceed with boiling the pot until after the recess (June or July of this year), while Senator Kiko Pimentel wants to start lighting the matches, as the Constitution commands, “forthwith”.

What would we predict the Supreme Court to do? It may not want to step into such a politically explosive universe by waving its wand and bellowing: “Stop!” At the most, it will want to hold a few hearings here and there, and carefully delve into the merits of Sara’s arguments.

Sara argues that there were three other impeachment complaints filed before this one, and the Constitution only allows one impeachment per year. So as far as she’s concerned, she’s had her quota. Her legal theory might be worth considering, except that the first three stalled upon filing, and this fourth complaint was the only one that actually got deliberated on and voted upon by the body. That might be thin ice there for proponents wanting to skate on this argument.

With such “innovative” legal theories being propounded before the august justices, Sara may need to burn lots of incense before she prevails. And if she doesn’t prevail, the consensus is, she will resign rather than face trial before the witch hunters. What does she gain from her post as vice president, anyway?

At least, the theory goes, she will preserve her ability to run for president. She can continue campaigning from the safety of her bailiwick, or if she chooses, she can lie low so that the attention of the kingmakers will shift to the next threat.

Here’s another legal theory, though. If she does go ahead and resign, and the Senate nevertheless proceeds and convicts her anyway, does that conviction permanently disqualify her from public office? Even if the conviction was theoretically moot, as she had already removed herself from harm’s way, so that there was no one to be impeached?

Now that may be a worthy case to argue before the Supreme Court! A true Constitutional law decision to be studied by Law students of the future! And perhaps, a true destabilizer of the country?

The jousting continues.