One of Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyers, Atty. Sheila Sison, stressed that only the Senate has the authority and jurisdiction to conduct any form of impeachment trial.
During a press conference on Wednesday, March 25, alongside the legal team’s spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa, Sison said they respect the power of the House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings.
However, she maintained that they do not recognize the chamber’s authority to conduct any form of trial.
“What we are not recognizing is the authority on power to conduct a mini-trial. Now with respect to the power of the House of the Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings that stated in the Constitution, we recognize that,” she said.
She added,
“What we do not recognize is the authority on power to conduct any form of trial.”
Sison said Duterte is willing to participate in an impeachment trial, provided it is conducted by the proper body with jurisdiction.
“Now if you’re asking me, is she [VP Sara] waiving her right to present evidence, definitely on participation in proceedings, she will participate before the proper forum, before the body that has the jurisdiction to trial the case against her,” she clarified.
She emphasized that under Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, only the Senate has the sole authority to try impeachment cases.
“The Constitution says, Section 3, paragraph 6, Article XI that it is the Senate that should have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment,” she added.
As of writing, the House of Representatives and the House Committee on Justice have yet to issue a statement or response regarding the matter.