Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa stressed the importance of respecting the Supreme Court, saying he will not sign the Senate resolution challenging its ruling on the impeachment of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Hindi ako abogado pero marunong akong rumespeto at sumunod sa hatol ng Korte Suprema kaya hindi niyo ako mapapapirma sa isang resolusyon na kumukwestyon nito,” said Dela Rosa. He was referring to the resolution filed by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Tito Sotto, which pushes to continue Duterte’s impeachment despite the High Court’s ruling.
Earlier, Dela Rosa also told reporters via text: “I have no idea about that. If there’s any, I am not foolish enough to sign it.”
On July 25, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled Duterte’s impeachment complaint unconstitutional, citing violations of the one-year bar rule, the due process clause, and the right to speedy disposition of cases.
The former police chief previously addressed the issue in a privilege speech before the 19th Congress adjourned. He called the complaint “constitutionally infirm” and criticized the House for allegedly bypassing rules to allow the fourth impeachment complaint.
He argued that the House’s “intentional inaction” circumvented Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution, which bars the filing of more than one impeachment case within a year.
“Given the glaring circumvention of the Constitution, should we allow impeachment complaints which are Constitutionally-infirm to be heard and tried by this body?… Hindi po ba mawawalan ng saysay ang pagconvene ng Senate as an impeachment court kung malinaw na labag sa Konstitusyon ang nais nating itayo?”
“Should we hear an impeachment that clearly violates the Constitution? Hindi po ba mawawalan ng saysay ang pag-convene ng Senado bilang impeachment court kung malinaw na labag sa Konstitusyon ang kaso?” he said.
His speech led the Senate to remand the impeachment articles back to the House.
