Statement of Malacañang on Business Groups’ Sentiment that Duterte’s Impeachment Trial Must Be Acted w/ Speed
MALACAÑANG – The Palace believes the Senate should pay attention to business groups’ call to speed up the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial not starting until now and the Senate’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President to the House of Representatives earned reactions from several giants in the business field. Several business groups called for a speedy impeachment trial.
Several business groups believe that the Senate should act on the impeachment trial as it may allegedly post a challenge on attracting foreign and local investors and may affect their confidence. For the Makati Business Club, it is a governance issue and a test of public accountability.
With an 18-5 voting result, the Senate ruled to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House which Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said does not equate to the dismissal of the impeachment case. According to him, it will give the House prosecution panel a chance to answer questions before the impeachment court decides on the matter. However, for many people, it is allegedly another cause of delay or a supposed delaying tactic.
The recent developments in the Senate gathered different reactions. Former Senate presidents have also spoken on the matter. According to former Senate Pres. Tito Sotto, he learned from the late former Sen. Miriam Santiago that senator judges must not make a motion. He stressed that senator judges must only ask questions and seek clarifications.
Another former Senate president, Juan Ponce Enrile, the Senate must do its job on Duterte’s impeachment trial with “reasonable speed”. He also expressed his hope that newbie senators will study to know their job.
Malacañang previously stressed several times that Pres. Bongbong Marcos will not intervene in the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. However, amid the speculations that the delay is allegedly under a presidential order, the Palace stressed that Marcos Jr. wants the impeachment process to push through.
Recently, Malacañang also reacted to the calls of the business groups for a speedy move of the Senate on the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a report on PhilStar, Palace press secretary Atty. Claire Castro stressed that the business groups are experts with regards to the investments in the country and what will be better for the economy.
“Let’s keep in mind, the President simply said follow the Constitution and the rule of law. So, if speeding up the impeachment trial is what the business sector sees as necessary, the Senate should also pay attention to it,” Castro said.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said business matters should not be blamed on her. Duterte claimed that congressmen were allegedly paid to sign on her impeachment.