Jurisprudence to guide both Senate and House

The Filipino people have reason to be dismayed by the latest development on the impeachment of the vice president. The actions of both Houses of Congress indicate that both senators and congressmen aren’t well-grounded on law and jurisprudence.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

We should be disappointed also at the quality of discourses in social media. Ignorance is overpowering wisdom. To elevate the levels of national debates and conversations on the impeachment of the vice president, it’s important people should be informed of what impeachment is.

This case decided by the Supreme Court on January 12, 2021, on the letter of Ma. Cristina Corona requesting the grant of retirement and other benefits to the late chief justice Renato Corona and her claim for survivorship pension as his wife, is a good reference.

The decision started with a definition of impeachment, as follows: "Impeachment is a constitutional process that takes place within the political departments of our government. The House of Representatives accuses and the Senate, sitting as an Impeachment Court, decides."

The court continued: "Public opinion, as well as the facts established by the evidence and the grounds and processes prescribed by the basic law, steer and weigh heavily in the formulation of its outcome. Nevertheless, the pervasive realm of the courts that is judicial review is retained as to any act within the limits of discretion provided by the Constitution."