Senate's job is to try Duterte, not question constitutionality

The Senate has no business raising the question of “constitutionality” about the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, constitutional framer Christian Monsod said.

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Monsod pointed out that a petition assailing Duterte’s impeachment has already been filed before the Supreme Court, which he said is the proper body to answer such constitutional questions.

The Senate should proceed then with the impeachment trial as mandated by the Constitution while waiting for the high court’s ruling, Monsod added.

“The Senate’s job, according to the Constitution, is to hold a trial... They must proceed with the trial,” Monsod said in a DZBB interview on Wednesday, June 11. “During the trial, I’m sure that the lawyers of the Vice President will raise certain points that they would like in order to verify or whatever it is. But it is not the Senate (that) should initiate the issue of constitutionality,” he said.

SENATORS’ ROLE DURING TRIAL

Senators acting as judges can ask questions of the House prosecutors.

“They (the Senate) can ask all the questions they want on whether the Vice President committed any of these charges,” Monsod said.