MikeLigalig.com

By LEONARD D. POSTRADO
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court and the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, share equal powers.

This was the opinion shared by respected constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, Wednesday night before members of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa).

Contrary to the belief of many senators, the Senate is not a superior branch even if it is acting as an impeachment body, Fr. Bernas said.

With the continued insistence of the senators that they are above all branches when the Senate acts as an impeachment court (IC), Fr. Bernas aired fears a clash between the legislature and the judiciary.

“By saying that the Senate as an impeachment court is superior to the Supreme Court, the two bodies are placed in a collision course. When an irressitable force moves... someone has to give in,” Fr. Bernas said during the oath-taking ceremony of Philconsa at the historic landmark Manila Hotel Wednesday night.

“These are just samples of the problems that are arising in the course of impeachment trial. The climactic moment will come when the Senate, acting as a court, will enter its verdict,” he added.

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Sir Way Nada, what do you think of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago? Do you agree with her actuation during the impeachment proceedings?

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Ingnon ta lang punga nga medyo peculiar ni siya nga member of the human race, a special child of the universe, that is to say...

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Addendum:

The thread; "Will There Be Constitutional Crisis in the Philippines?" I think this is a wrong connotation because there had been "constitutional crisis" in the past. For example under Marcos when he prolonged his term under Martial Law. It means that after his term in 1972 he should have stepped down. Cory in like manner caused a constitutional crisis when she did not respect the result of the 1986 snap election. The diminutive president Gloria M. Arroyo committed the worst crime against the constitution when she ousted Erap and still retain the 1987 constitution. Her actuation was without regards of the law as long as Erap is out. It was purely elitism because the popular talk of the town was that "Erap is the president of the poor" therefore he should be ousted.

WN 



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