The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — A group of law deans and professors from various universities across the country called on the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, warning that any refusal to convene as an impeachment court could constitute a violation of the Constitution. In a joint statement, the academics lauded members of the House of Representatives who voted to impeach Duterte, citing the factual and legal grounds contained in the report of the House Committee on Justice. The signatories also criticized what they described as “brazen attempts” by some senators to delay the impeachment proceedings, including the Senate leadership change before the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment and the interpretation of the constitutional term “forthwith.” They argued that under Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution, once at least one-third of House members affirm a committee report or file an impeachment complaint, the Articles of Impeachment are deemed constituted and trial in the Senate should proceed immediately “as a matter of course.” “The refusal of public officers to perform a duty imposed by law, particularly by the Constitution, constitutes dereliction of duty,” the statement read. The law deans and professors warned that granting an “undue advantage and benefit” to a person not entitled to it may expose public officials to liability under Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The statement also urged Philippine law enforcers to cooperate with legal processes involving the International Criminal Court in relation to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. The signatories said that should the Philippine government decide to act under Republic Act 9851, Dela Rosa “be made to stand trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.” The academics likewise called on Filipinos to ensure that all public officials faithfully comply with their constitutional duties and uphold the rule of law. Among those who signed the statement were retired Supreme Court justice Adolfo Azcuna, Antonio La Viña, Ranhilio Callangan Aquino, Jemy Gatdula, and several deans and professors from San Beda University, University of Asia and the Pacific, Adamson University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Ateneo de Naga University, and other law schools nationwide.
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