MANILA – A constitutional law expert said Tuesday that the House of Representatives is acting well within its constitutional authority as it continues hearings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Domingo Cayosa said the Constitution not only allows but requires the House to evaluate impeachment complaints and determine whether these should be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
He explained that complaints must undergo assessment first, similar to a preliminary investigation in criminal proceedings, before a determination of probable cause is made.
“Hindi lahat ng reklamo ay agad dinadala sa korte; kailangan munang suriin kung may sapat na batayan,” Cayosa said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.
He added that the Constitution provides two ways for impeachment to proceed: either through endorsement by at least one-third of House members or through committee hearings to establish probable cause.
Cayosa noted that the current process being used by the House Committee on Justice is more deliberate compared to previous impeachment cases that followed a faster “express” route, but stressed that it remains constitutional.
“Hindi ito labag sa Konstitusyon; mas maingat lamang ang proseso,” he said.
The expert also emphasized the importance of impeachment as a tool for accountability among high-ranking officials.
He said the proceedings would be strengthened by the participation of both sides in presenting evidence and arguments.
Cayosa further cited documents submitted to the House panel by agencies such as the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Commission on Audit, and the Office of the Ombudsman, saying these carry strong evidentiary value.
“These are official government records that went through strict processes and cannot be treated as mere opinions,” he added.
He said these materials may help determine whether the complaint is sufficient to be elevated to the Senate, which will act as the impeachment court.
ia/xf
