Antonio Carpio on SC’s Impeachment Ruling

Former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio asserted that the retroactive implementation of the new Supreme Court requirements that concerns the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte violates due process.

He stated that one of the two grounds stated in their petition to reverse the SC’s decision declaring the impeachment as unconstitutional.

“You cannot retroact. That should be prospective if it’s new,” said Carpio.

VP Sara Duterte became the first Vice President to be impeached, but the Supreme Court ruled the articles of impeachment as “unconstitutional”, the Senate archived the impeachment case in regards to the ruling. The House of Representatives has filed a motion of reconsideration.

The retired Senior Justice Associate said that the Senate should automatically proceed with hearing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte if the Supreme Court reverse its decision.

According to Carpio, the proceedings must continue if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the House of Representatives regarding its motion for reconsideration.

“Wala nang botohan ‘yan because balik tayo doon sa ‘Is this Constitutional?’ Sinabi ng Supreme Court ngayon, kung mag-reconsider sila, ‘Yes, Constitutional,’ so balik doon sa provision—The same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed,” he said.