Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima expressed support for proposed discussions between the House of Representatives and the Senate to address what she described as “judicial overreach” in the Supreme Court’s final ruling on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.
“Bukas po tayo sa mungkahing pag-usapan ng Senado at Kamara ang maaaring maging tugon ng Kongreso sa naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa kasong impeachment laban kay VP Sara,” De Lima said in a statement on January 31.
She argued that the high court’s decision weakened Congress’ constitutional powers.
“Naniniwala po tayo na may nangyari ngang judicial overreach dito, kung saan pinahina o pinanghimasukan ng korte ang kapangyarihan ng kapantay na sangay nito sa gobyerno,” she added.
De Lima warned that the ruling sets “a very dangerous precedent” by turning impeachment into a judicially managed process instead of a political safeguard.
“Addressing this crucial issue is of transcendental importance,” she stressed.
Her remarks followed Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s call for Charter Change discussions after the SC denied with finality the House’s motion for reconsideration.
De Lima said she is open to clarifying impeachment provisions, making the ban on political dynasties self-executing, and amending certain economic provisions.
“Sa usapin ng pagpapalit o pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas, kung sasang-ayon ako o hindi ay depende sa layunin nito,” she said.
“Open po ako, halimbawa, sa paglilinaw sa mga probisyon sa impeachment, gawing self-executing ang probisyon sa pagbawal ng political dynasties at pag-amyenda sa ilang mga economic provisions,” she noted.
However, she rejected any move to extend terms or weaken safeguards.
“Pero kapag ang agenda ay para bigyang daan ang term extension ng mga nakaupo, pag-alis ng term limit, pagtanggal ng ban sa political dynasty, at paglabnaw ng mga probisyon sa human rights and social justice, kokontra po tayo dyan,” she said.
De Lima, a former DOJ secretary and senator, would have been part of the House prosecution team in Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial had it proceeded in the 20th Congress.