House Speaker Martin Romualdez Defends House over Senate “Return” of Duterte Impeachment
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The House Speaker defended the chamber following the Senate’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Last Monday, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in the trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte following the motions of the Senate Minority. The sudden oath-taking came amid Escudero’s decision to move the schedule for the reading of the Articles of Impeachment being questioned.
Escudero initially scheduled the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment by the House of Representatives’ prosecution team last June 2 but moved it to June 11. According to the Senate Chief, the legislative chambers still have several key measures to pass before the 19th Congress ends this June 30 and the Commission on Appointments still have over 200 presidential appointees to review.
The move of Escudero did not sit well with many people including civil society groups who rallied outside the Senate building calling for the immediate start of Duterte’s trial. Last Tuesday, the rest of the senators took their oath as senator-judges of the impeachment court. Except for senators Robin Padilla, Cynthia Villar, and Imee Marcos, all the other senators wore their robes.
However, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano filed a motion to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House and it was approved by the 18-5 voting. Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified that the return of the impeachment articles against Duterte is not a dismissal of the case but an opportunity for the prosecutors to answer questions.
The move of the Senate once again sparked different reactions. Recently, House Speaker Martin Romualdez reacted to the Senate returning the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, House Speaker Martin Romualdez finds the move of the Senate “deeply concerning”. Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel who is disappointed by their chamber’s move said that there is no concept of “return to sender” in legal proceedings.
“I rise — not in defiance — but with resolve, guided by duty, grounded in principle. The decision of the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to return the articles of impeachment is deeply concerning,” the House Speaker said.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez defended the lower chamber in its decision to impeach Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. He stressed that they followed the law and upheld their mandate.
“Let me speak plainly, yet with utmost respect. The House of Representatives acted not out of haste, but with deliberate care. We follow the law, we honored our mandated, and above all, we stood for what the Filipino people deserve,” he said.
Based on the report, Martin Romualdez further said that the House is a guardian of the trust of the people. He stressed that it is their duty to uphold transparency and find the truth.
“Indeed, a government that answers to its citizens, the House is not only the voice of the people, it’s a guardian of their trust when allegations arise that threaten public confidence in our institutions, our duty is clear — to seek the truth, to uphold transparency, and to demand accountability without fear, without favor,” the House Speaker said.
The decision of the Senate earned different reactions. A framer of the 1987 Constitution reminded the senators that they are senators for the people and not for Duterte alone.