Puno: The House of Representatives will follow the Supreme Court's (SC) updated guidelines in handling impeachment complaints if one is filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno said on Friday. In a press briefing, Puno said lawmakers are expected to take a slower, more deliberate route that places heavier weight on due process and documentary completeness before any case can move forward.
According to Philippines News Agency, Puno emphasized that any impeachment complaints will adhere to the new Supreme Court guidelines. He highlighted the importance of informing the accused of the charges and providing them an opportunity to respond. Puno noted that the Supreme Court's decision has shifted impeachment from a political process to a more judicial one.
Puno also clarified the difference between discussions about the Vice President and those concerning President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He stated that the case against Vice President Sara has been thoroughly investigated in the Quad Comm on good government and public accountability, with specific grounds already identified in the complaint. In contrast, he described any potential cases against President Marcos as speculative, with no serious complaints emerging.
Puno further commented on the position of the National Unity Party (NUP) regarding impeachment complaints against the President and Vice President. He confirmed that the party would not support an impeachment complaint against President Marcos. However, regarding the Vice President, he expressed the need for the party to carefully review and study the complaint according to the Supreme Court's new rules.
With impeachment now adopting a more court-like approach, Puno stressed that lawmakers, especially those in the majority, should handle any complaint with restraint, scrutiny, and patience. He explained that the previous practice allowed impeachment cases to progress quickly with enough signatures, but the Supreme Court's ruling has made the process more stringent. This change makes it challenging to fast-track an impeachment case to the Senate through a sudden accumulation of signatures under the new framework.
