Impeachment process explained by legal expert Atty. Michael Henry Yusingco as the case against Vice President Sara Duterte progresses.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Cauayan, Yusingco, a political analyst and constitutionalist, described impeachment as a constitutional mechanism to hold high-ranking officials accountable.
He outlined three ways to file an impeachment complaint: when an ordinary Filipino files a complaint endorsed by a House member, when one or two House members file it, or when at least one-third of the House of Representatives signs the complaint.
Once filed, the impeachment complaint is transmitted to the Senate, which acts as an impeachment court with senators serving as judges.
A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required to convict an official.
During the trial, evidence such as testimonial and documentary records are presented, but the Senate sets its own trial procedures.
If an official is impeached, they are removed from office and barred from holding any government position in the future, though impeachment does not entail criminal or administrative liability.
Yusingco also raised constitutional concerns regarding the impeachment process against VP Duterte, questioning the speed at which the House of Representatives passed the fourth impeachment complaint.
He noted that House rules require that a complaint signed by one-third of its members must be sworn before the Secretary General.
With 215 House members signing the fourth impeachment complaint, Yusingco found it unusual that over 200 lawmakers managed to sign in just one day.
He added that the Constitution mandates the Senate to act on the impeachment complaint once transmitted by the House, which contradicts the stance of Senate President Chiz Escudero.
A special session in the Senate can be convened even during adjournment if requested by the Senate or the President.