Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Egay Erice called on the House of Representatives to strictly comply with the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, saying the impeachment process is “very simple” and clearly defined by the high court.
Erice said Congress is bound to follow the procedural requirements laid down by the Supreme Court and warned against deviating from constitutional limits.
“The Supreme Court has already clearly spelled out the procedural requirements. We must all abide by them,” Erice said.
He stressed that the steps are straightforward and leave little room for interpretation.
“The process is actually very simple,” he added. “The Office of the Secretary General has 10 calendar days to transmit an impeachment complaint to the Speaker, and the Speaker has three days to refer it to the committee on justice. Due process must be followed. What is difficult about that?”
While acknowledging that the House has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings, Erice emphasized that this authority is not absolute and must be exercised within constitutional bounds.
He said the controversy arose not from the Supreme Court, but from actions taken by the House during the 19th Congress.
Erice pointed out that the Office of the Secretary General delayed the referral of the first three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte to make way for a fourth complaint, which was immediately transmitted to the Senate for trial.
According to the lawmaker, the House may now proceed with hearings on impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., as well as any forthcoming complaint against Duterte.
“Kung may ma-impeach, maghintay na lang ang Senado para sa trial,” he said. “Sa ngayon, ang mahalaga ay igalang ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema, sapagkat sila lamang ang may kapangyarihang magpaliwanag ng Saligang Batas.”
Erice also criticized Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s call to amend the 1987 Constitution following the high court’s ruling.
“Maraming probisyon sa 1987 Constitution ang maaaring pag-usapan sa tamang panahon, pero hindi ito,” he said. “(Charter change) is untimely and highly suspicious, especially with the 2028 elections just two years away.”
He added that both a constitutional convention and a constituent assembly would raise serious concerns, citing the lengthy process involved and questions about lawmakers’ moral authority amid ongoing flood control corruption issues.