THE Philippine Supreme Court ended up as the main arbiter of two politically-charged issues that would determine the fate of Vice President Sara Duterte on the one hand and the operation of the government on the other.
This, after Vice President Sara Duterte, facing an impeachment signed by more than 200 members of Congress, filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the SC last February 18, basically asking the highest court to junk her impeachment.
A certiorari petition asks a court to review another body’s decision or to review it if there’s grave abuse of discretion.
Named respondents were House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.
A petition filed earlier on the same day by several lawyers based in Mindanao headed by Israelito Torreon and Martin Delgra, also basically asked the SC to junk the impeachment complaint, claiming it is “procedurally defective, constitutionally infirm and jurisdictionally void.”
The ruling of the Supreme Court on the impeachment of the Vice President can prove crucial not only about her political future but also, the country’s political stability and economic growth for years to come.
Torreon is the lawyer of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close ally of the Dutertes, while Delgra previously served as an official of the Department of Transportation under the Duterte administration.
Both petitions also asked the SC to issue an injunction (temporary restraining order) stopping Congress from further proceeding with the trial of the Vice President.
The petitioners timed their filing on a Tuesday, when the SC is holding its full session (en banc) but SC spokesperson, Camille Sue Mae Ting, confirmed the petitions were not discussed by the justices that day, giving all disputants at least another week to prepare their legal arguments.
The ruling of the Supreme Court on the impeachment of the Vice President can prove crucial not only about her political future but also, the country’s political stability and economic growth for years to come.
On the other hand, the petition asking the Supreme Court to rule on the legality and constitutionality of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or RA 12116, continues to move forward with the SC ordering both chambers of Congress and Malacañan to submit the original copy of the proposed 2025 budget before it was signed into law by President Marcos Jr. at the end of 2024.
In an order dated the same day the petitions against VP Duterte were filed, the SC said the submission must be done by February 24. The Office of the Solicitor General under SolGen. Menardo Guevarra, representing the government, already announced it cannot meet the deadline.
The SC had already set the preliminary conference among the parties on February 28 while the oral arguments are initially set for April 1.
The petition questioning the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget was filed last January 28. It was headed by Davao City 3rd district representative Isidro Ungab and Atty. Vic Rodriguez, former confidante and executive secretary to President Marcos Jr. and who is now running for senator under the Duterte camp.
President Marcos previously warned he would be forced to “shut down” government operation should the SC ruled in favor of the petition.