MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment process against the Vice President could move at an accelerated pace if the respondent chooses not to formally answer the allegations, a ranking member of the House of Representatives stated on Monday. The lawmaker clarified that while the Vice President has the right to due process, the lack of a formal counter-affidavit or response would allow the House Committee on Justice to proceed based solely on the evidence presented by the complainants.
Under the existing rules of impeachment, once a complaint is deemed sufficient in form and substance, the respondent is given a specific period to file a reply. If no response is submitted within the prescribed timeframe, the committee may declare the respondent in default regarding that stage and move directly to the determination of probable cause.
“A non-response doesn’t stop the train; it actually speeds it up,” the lawmaker explained during a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa. “The committee is mandated to act on the complaint. If the Vice President opts to remain silent or refuses to participate in the initial proceedings, we will have no choice but to evaluate the merits of the case based on the available testimonies and documents.”
The impeachment complaints, which allege various grounds including betrayal of public trust and violation of the Constitution, have sparked intense debate within the legislative halls. Supporters of the Vice President have dismissed the moves as “politically motivated,” while proponents of the impeachment argue that the process is a necessary exercise of checks and balances.
Legal experts note that while the Vice President is not strictly required to personally appear before the House committee, a formal written response is the primary mechanism for defending against the charges before the case reaches the Senate for trial.
The House Committee on Justice is expected to convene later this week to finalize the schedule for the hearings. Leadership in the House has expressed its commitment to a “fair and transparent” process, emphasizing that the timeline will be dictated by the rules of the House and the level of cooperation from all parties involved.
As the political tension in the capital rises, the public is closely watching how the second-highest official in the land will navigate the looming legal battle. A swift resolution in the House would send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which would then be convened as an impeachment court.