A legal expert has deemed the draft resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as improper and invalid.
According to Atty. Domingo Cayosa, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and a human rights lawyer, senators cannot abdicate their duty in an impeachment trial through a mere resolution that effectively dismisses the complaint.
The Constitution mandates that both sides must be heard to ensure the public understands the full context of the case.
Cayosa pointed out that the draft resolution cannot be read in the plenary as it lacks a formal author and must first be filed by a senator and referred to the appropriate committee.
Only after a majority of committee members sign the report can it be presented in the plenary for final approval.
He also noted that Senator Bato Dela Rosa’s claim of procedural violations in the impeachment process contradicts their earlier request to hold hearings only after the elections.
The delay in proceedings, initially caused by VP Sara’s camp, is now being used as grounds to dismiss the impeachment case.
Cayosa argued that if the defense team is confident in their legal standing, they should be willing to face the impeachment trial at any level.
However, he suggested that Dela Rosa’s actions indicate an attempt to dismiss the case before hearings begin, avoiding any formal explanation.
He emphasized that common sense dictates that if the defense team has strong evidence, they should be prepared to fight for their position.
Cayosa also criticized VP Sara’s inconsistency, stating that while she claims readiness to face the case, her legal team and allied senators are actively preventing the impeachment trial from proceeding.