CABANATUAN CITY – Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno said the public only has to wait for what the House of Representatives will do in case a new impeachment complaint is filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Diokno gave the insights amid the Supreme Court’s affirmation of its previous verdict that the previous impeachment charge against the country’s second highest official was unconstitutional.
“Medyo nakakalungkot ‘yung nangyari na desisyon ng ating Korte Suprema dahil kung titingnan natin ang ating Konstitusyon simple lang naman po ang impeachment,” Diokno said in an interview over Vanguard Radio Network (VRN) stations DZXO-am and Big Sound-fm Saturday.
“Pagka ‘yan ay inihain ng more than two-thirds ng mga miyembro ng House of Representatives ay dapat ‘yan ay diretso sa Senado at magkakaroon na mismo ng paglilitis sa Senate,” he added.
Diokno was in Cabanatuan to join some activities for the Banatu Festival, the celebration of Cabanatuan City’s 76th founding anniversary.
But Diokno said the impeachment process remains even as the SC has clarified some procedural matters. “Pero okay lang naman kasi nandun pa rin naman ‘yung proseso. Buti nga nai-klaro ng Supreme Court na eto yung mga dapat na hakbang para matuloy ang isang impeachment case.”
“Itong hinihintay nga natin ay kung meron ulit magpa-file ng impeachment laban kay VP Sara Duterte dahil ‘yung one-year ban, base dito ngayon sa latest decision ng Supreme Court ay nagtapos na n’ung January 14. Ibig sabihin ay pwede na ulit mag-file ng impeachment complaint,” he said.
Diokno who is with the minority said that the people also have to see how the House would adjust to the SC ruling.
“Ngayon kapag meron na ulit nag-file, ay titingnan natin kung paano ngayon ipu-proseso ‘yan ng ating Kongreso,”
Meanwhile, the House’s committee on justice is set to conduct its first hearing on the impeachment complaints against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. he said.
