The Senate's decision to return the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives has drawn criticism from lawmakers, groups, and legal experts.
Eighteen senators voted to send the case back to the House, asking for clarification on whether the one-year bar on filing impeachment complaints was violated and if the next Congress would pursue the case.
Members of the Makabayan bloc in Congress, signatories to the impeachment complaint, called the move a "clear abdication" of the Senate's constitutional duty.
They argued that the Constitution mandates the Senate to conduct a trial, not return impeachment articles.
Veteran lawyer Lorna Kapunan described the Senate's move as "whimsical, despotic, arbitrary," and unconstitutional, stating it undermines due process.
Kapunan believes the Senate's vote was premature and an error of judgment, not supported by constitutional provisions or Senate rules.
Representative France Castro clarified that the House's role concludes upon transmittal of articles, with the Senate's responsibility being to adjudicate the case.
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