The Senate impeachment court has denied accusations that it set a “trap” for the House prosecution panel with the second procedural requirement for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to Senate Impeachment Court Spokesperson Regie Tongol, the additional certification being requested from the House is legal, fair, and transparent.
“The specific certifications being required from the House are all part of the effort to guarantee procedural legitimacy and to uphold constitutional standard,” Tongol said.
He clarified that the requirement should not be perceived as a delay tactic or obstacle.
“This certification procedure should not be seen as traps or measures to impede. These processes help prevent legal challenges or technicalities that could undermine the trial and ensure the integrity of the proceedings,” he added.
This statement follows remarks by Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno, who described the requirement as a potential “trap” designed to stall the trial.
Diokno is a member of the House prosecution panel, along with Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila de Lima.
As stated in the Senate’s recent order, the House must submit a certification affirming that the impeachment complaint does not violate the constitutional provision allowing only one impeachment proceeding per official per year, under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution.
In a social media post, Diokno thanked the Senate for the clarification but reminded the upper chamber of its constitutional duty.
“We welcome the assurance that there are no traps being set by the Senate Impeachment Court. The Senate must proceed with the impeachment trial without further delay, as the Constitution commands,” Diokno said.