Politics · Philippines Bureau
OSG defends Senate's revised impeachment rules as constitutional
The Office of the Solicitor General has argued that the Senate acted within constitutional bounds when it modified voting requirements for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The OSG has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss challenges to the revised rules.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has defended the Senate's decision to lower the number of votes required to convict or acquit an impeachment respondent, arguing the move does not constitute an unconstitutional amendment of the Constitution.
In a pleading filed Wednesday before the Supreme Court, the OSG contended that the Senate impeachment court acted within its authority and followed proper procedures when it approved the revised voting threshold. The modified rules would require fewer senators to vote affirmatively to reach a verdict in impeachment cases.
The OSG's legal position directly addresses challenges to the new impeachment procedures, which have drawn scrutiny regarding their constitutionality. The government law office asked the high court to dismiss petitions questioning the legitimacy of the Senate's action.
The impeachment court's revised rules have become a focal point amid the ongoing proceedings against Vice President Duterte, who faces multiple complaints before the legislative body. The debate over voting requirements reflects broader questions about the proper interpretation of the Senate's powers under the impeachment provisions of the 1987 Constitution.