Senate court receives House reply disputing Sara’s impeachment claims

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

The impeachment court confirmed receipt of the filing through the Secretary of the Senate, acting as Clerk of Court. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Senate impeachment court on Friday officially received the House prosecutors’ reply to Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense filing, rejecting her claim that the chamber no longer has jurisdiction over the case.

The document, stamped as received at 1:38 p.m., responds to Duterte’s Answer Ad Cautelam submitted on June 17, in which she argued that the Articles of Impeachment are no longer with the Senate after being “returned” to the House of Representatives.

Prosecutors disputed this position, calling it “false” and “misleading,” and argued that the Senate still holds jurisdiction over the impeachment complaint despite procedural issues raised by Duterte’s camp.

“At the onset, it must be pointed out that in the Answer Ad Cautelam, respondent Duterte had made several misleading and false material statements,” the reply stated.

Under Senate rules, prosecutors were given five non-extendible days to respond to Duterte’s filing. The House panel submitted the reply within deadline.

The impeachment court confirmed receipt of the filing through the Secretary of the Senate, acting as Clerk of Court.

“This Reply is timely filed,” the prosecutors said.

The impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of betrayal of public trust and grave abuse of power, was transmitted by the House during the 19th Congress.

The Senate had earlier directed the House to submit a certification reaffirming the complaint’s validity following the transition to the 20th Congress.