MANILA, Philippines —The Senate should heed the call of law deans to proceed with the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.
Voting 257-25-9, the House of Representatives (HOR) on Monday decided to send the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the Senate for trial.
The Constitution mandates the Senate to convene as an impeachment court "forthwith" if the HOR transmits the impeachment articles to the chamber.
Lacson said the Senate should proceed with the impeachment trial "not just because it comes from some of the country's foremost legal minds, but because it is a constitutional mandate."
The senator referred to the statement of law deans and professors from leading Philippine law schools that refusing to convene as an impeachment court may expose senators to administrative and criminal liability.
"Not only is this a powerful statement coming from powerful legal minds of the country which the Senate should take seriously, but more importantly, it is what the Constitution unequivocally provides," Lacson said.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III said he underscored the need to uphold the Constitution. "I am neither anti impeachment, nor pro impeachment [of Duterte]. I am pro Constitution. I'm pro Filipino."
In a statement, the law deans and professors reminded the Senate that refusing to sit as a Court of Impeachment is not a constitutional option once the HOR transmits to it the articles of impeachment.
They added that the refusal of public officers to perform a duty imposed by law, particularly by the Constitution, "constitutes dereliction of duty that is administratively actionable and conferring an undue advantage and benefit on a person not entitled to it is an indictable criminal offense under Republic Act 3019" or the anti-graft law.
Also, they urged Filipinos to "see to the faithful compliance by all public officers of their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and to abide by the Rule of Law."
The 31 who signed the statement included retired Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna, Antonio La Viña, Ranhilio Aquino, and Jemy Gatdula, and the deans and professors of various universities and law schools.
Lacson earlier said that if such a situation arises, he is prepared to oppose and vote against any motion to stop or delay the Senate’s convening as an impeachment court.
He said that the Constitution and its legal mechanisms are in place to address any possible issues related to a potential impeachment trial, including moves to block the Senate from convening as an impeachment court.