Malacañang called on the Senate to consider the potential impact of delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on the Philippine economy.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is alarmingthat the business sector has already issued a warning that failure to uphold the rule of law could affect investor confidence in the long term.
‘‘Even the business sector is alarmed by what is happening in the Senate regarding the impeachment trial. And they would really not want to invest our business investors will be alerted if there is an issue and the leader is accused of corruption and it seems that other senator-judges are siding with her,’’ Castro said.
‘‘This is alarming because the country’s economy is improving. This is contrary to what the Vice President said—that the economy is failing,’’ she added.
Castro warned that the government’s economic gains may be undermined if the Senate impeachment court fails to act on the complaint against Duterte.
She stressed that while the executive branch would not meddle in the impeachment process, the Senate must be mindful of broader economic implications.
‘‘It would be regrettable if our economy would be affected just because of what is happening in the Senate. So, our only appeal to the Senate regarding the impeachment trial is not to hasten the ongoing impeachment trial as we will not interfer but to simply follow the Constitution and the rule of law,’’ Castro said.
The Makati Business Club earlier urged the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duty by proceeding with the impeachment trial.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) also expressed concern over the Senate’s decision to return the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte back to the House of Representatives.
Last week, Castro also emphasized the importance of lawmakers neutrality in handling Duterte’s case, citing observations that some senator-judges had shown their biases when the Senate convened as an impeachment court.
Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court is anticipating that Vice President Duterte’s legal team may file a motion to dismiss in response to the summons issued to her.
“I think their failure to submit the necessary filings is part of their strategy. We don’t really know the true reason, but perhaps your colleagues in the House should ask about that,” impeachment court spokesperson lawyer Reginald Tongol said in a press conference Wednesday.
He revealed that the Senate has yet to receive formal compliance from the House of Representatives or its prosecution panel, despite public statements indicating otherwise.
“We all know that the prosecution panel is backed by experienced advisers, and they will surely do what needs to be done once the answer with affirmative defenses is filed. If Vice President Sara does not submit an answer with affirmative defenses and instead files a motion to dismiss, I am certain the prosecution will file a comment and opposition to that motion,” Tongol said.
He clarified that while the prosecution filed a notice of appearance with the Senate in February, it must be refiled now that the Senate is sitting as an impeachment court.
Despite claims from the House panel that further affirmation is unnecessary, Tongol stressed that official communications must follow legislative procedure.
He also addressed criticism from former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who said the Senate was delaying the proceedings. Tongol cited jurisprudence interpreting the term forthwith as without delay, not immediately, referencing Fisher v. Ambler and Manila Masonic Temple v. Alfonso.
“Senator Enrile is very wise and knowledgeable about the law. However, he was not the one confronted with the motion, he is not one of the senator-judges, and he is not sitting as a member of the impeachment court,” he said.
Tongol emphasized that while the impeachment court operates under constitutional limitations, it retains authority to interpret procedural gaps in a manner consistent with its sole mandate to try and decide impeachment cases.
He also acknowledged that a gag order may be imposed once the trial begins, as allowed under Rule 18 of the Senate’s internal rules.
“By appointing me as spokesperson, it’s highly likely we are moving toward implementing Rule 18. But of course, it’s still up to the presiding officer at that time, and we can only make educated guesses for now,” he said. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, once the presentation of evidence begins.”
