Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson on Thursday expressed support for the constitutional concerns raised over the Senate’s decision to return the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.
The Philippine Constitution Association (PhilConsa) earlier questioned whether the Senate, in its capacity as an impeachment court, acted within its bounds when it remanded the complaint.
Lacson said he agreed with the group’s opinion, warning that such a move could raise legal and constitutional issues.
“The Senate, even after constituting itself into an Impeachment Court, may still be subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court if its action constitutes grave abuse of discretion as in the case of Ernesto Francisco vs the House of Representatives in 2003,” he reminded.
Legal experts noted that impeachment proceedings are political in nature, but they must still follow constitutional processes.
“It is also worth reiterating that Article XI of our Constitution is very clear: Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people,” he concluded, citing Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.
The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte was filed earlier this year over alleged abuse of authority and misuse of funds.
The House of Representatives transmitted the complaint to the Senate after finding it sufficient in form and substance.
However, the Senate impeachment court voted to remand the case, citing potential procedural lapses and incomplete documentary evidence.
The move sparked debate among constitutionalists and lawmakers about the Senate’s authority to remand an already transmitted complaint.
