The Supreme Court clarified that the House of Representatives can still file a motion to request the reconsideration of its newly issued resolution.
This was specifically stated by Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting, following the declaration that the ‘articles of impeachment’ against Vice President Sara Duterte were “unconstitutional.”
According to the spokesperson, the lower house of Congress still has the opportunity to submit a ‘motion for reconsideration’ to the Supreme Court regarding the decision.
Although the ruling is “immediately executory” (meaning it takes effect right away), the House of Representatives can still take this route to bring their side to the court.
It should be noted that Atty. Camille Ting had earlier announced the Supreme Court’s declaration that the impeachment complaint filed against the Vice President was found unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court’s decision outlined the reasons why the ruling was issued. According to the decision made by the justices, the violation of the “1-year rule” and the “right to due process” were seen as the reasons for declaring the articles of impeachment unconstitutional.
The justices unanimously voted in favor of the decision, with 13 in favor, none opposed, and 2 inhibiting.
As a result, Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting further explained the position of the Supreme Court regarding the violation of the “1-year ban rule” in filing an impeachment complaint against a government official.
Another basis for the Supreme Court’s decision was the immediate passage of the impeachment complaint without following due process.
Therefore, the Supreme Court nullified the articles of impeachment and declared the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte as “unconstitutional.”