Constitutional crisis feared if Senate defies SC impeachment ruling

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri cautioned his colleagues against any attempt to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday, July 26, following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision declaring the articles of impeachment unconstitutional.

- DHEL NAZARIO and HANNAH TORREGOZA

Addressing those who may still wish to pursue the impeachment proceedings in the Senate, Zubiri issued a stern warning.

“We may be courting a contempt order from the [SC] and a possible constitutional crisis, not to mention a dangerous precedent, should we proceed with the impeachment trial in defiance of a unanimous en banc ruling of the high court,” he said.

Some senators have earlier expressed belief that the Senate could still continue with the impeachment trial despite the SC ruling.

But Zubiri called this seeming defiance an act of “arrogance” toward what is considered the final arbiter for constitutional issues.

Zubiri stressed that ignoring the SC decision would undermine the fundamental principle of judicial review and risk destabilizing the system of checks and balances.

"Ignoring the SC decision is tantamount to eroding the very principle of 'judicial review' established in Angara v. Electoral Commission, 63 Phil. 139 (1936), and in turn, endangers the delicate system of checks and balances that is foundational to our democracy," he said.

He emphasized that regardless of personal opinions on the decision, the SC must be regarded as the final authority on constitutional matters.

"Whether we agree with the decision or not, the [SC] remains as the final arbiter of constitutional issues lest we destabilize the very framework of government," he added.

Zubiri concluded his statement with a call to uphold judicial authority.

"Respect and honor the [SC] of the Republic. Period," he said.