Photo credit: Congress PH

A group of prominent law deans and professors from some of the country’s leading law schools issued a strong warning Monday to senators allegedly trying to delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying such actions could expose them to administrative and even criminal liability.

In a joint statement, the legal scholars stressed that the Constitution leaves the Senate with no choice once the House of Representatives transmits Articles of Impeachment approved by at least one-third of its members.

“Trial forthwith proceeds,” the professors said, citing Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution. According to them, the framers clearly intended for impeachment proceedings to continue “as a matter of course.”

The statement came amid growing controversy following the Senate leadership shakeup that removed Vicente Sotto III as Senate President and installed Alan Peter Cayetano on the same day the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte were expected to be transmitted.

The law professors accused some senators of trying to stall or derail the impeachment process through procedural maneuvers and leadership changes.

“We decry the brazen attempts of members of the Senate to forestall the impeachment trial of the Vice-President,” the statement read.

The group also criticized what they described as the “Escudero definition” of the word “forthwith,” referring to earlier remarks made by Francis Escudero suggesting that the Senate could determine when to begin the impeachment trial.

According to the professors, such an interpretation goes against both the plain language and the spirit of the Constitution.

The legal scholars warned that refusing to perform a duty required by the Constitution may amount to dereliction of duty.

“Refusal of public officers to perform a duty imposed by law, particularly by the Constitution, constitutes dereliction of duty,” the statement said.

They further argued that granting “undue advantage and benefit on a person not entitled to it” could be considered a criminal offense punishable under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Among those who signed the statement were Retired Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna; Dr. Antonio La Viña; and Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino.

Also joining the statement were Mons. Gary Formoso; Ada Maria Abad; Ma. Soledad Margarita Deriquito-Mawis; Marivic Trabajo-Daray; Rabindranath Polito; and Roger Terence Camua.

The legal scholars also commended the 257 members of the House of Representatives who voted to approve the impeachment complaint against Duterte, describing the vote as “courageous.”

The House adopted House Resolution No. 989 after the Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach the Vice President on several grounds.

Beyond the impeachment issue, the professors also called on Philippine authorities to cooperate with international legal processes involving Sen. Ronald dela Rosa in relation to proceedings before the International Criminal Court.

The group ended its statement by urging Filipinos to ensure that all public officials faithfully uphold the Constitution and abide by the rule of law.