Election law expert Atty. Romulo Macalintal on Wednesday warned the public to closely monitor the possible filing of a “motion to dismiss” or “motion to quash” by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with the articles of impeachment.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Macalintal said such a motion would only require 13 votes in the Senate to be approved, raising concerns over the outcome of the impeachment proceedings amid possible changes in Senate leadership.
"Sa aking palagay kasi hindi naman gagawin ng Senado iyon na hindi magko-convene. Si Senator Cayetano is a seasoned lawyer, politician, alam niya ang batas. Ang aking pinangangambahan diyan ay hindi 'yung pag-convene kundi 'yung pagpa-file ng sagot ni VIce President," Macalintal said.
"Bukod sa kanyang sagot, magfa-file siya ng motion to dismiss o motion to quash the articles of impeachment na 'yan, na nangangailangan ng 13 votes. 'Yun ang dapat na babantayan natin kung 'yan ay gagawin bilang isang legal strategy o legal remedy ng mga abogado ng ikalawang pangulo," he added.
According to Macalintal, he still expects the Senate to convene for the impeachment proceedings, saying senators are aware of their constitutional duty.
“Sa sandaling hingan ng kasagutan si Vice President Sara Duterte, maaari niyang i-incorporate o isama doon sa kanyang sagot ang motion to dismiss and to ask for a preliminary hearing. Hindi iyong nilalaman ng articles of impeachment,” Macalintal said.
“Bagama't wala 'yan sa rules ng Senado, hindi naman 'yan ipinagbabawal,” he added.
Macalintal cited the impeachment cases involving former President Joseph Estrada and late Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying similar legal strategies had been attempted in the past but were not granted by the Senate.
He explained that while Senate rules do not expressly provide for a motion to dismiss or motion to quash in impeachment proceedings, neither do they prohibit such motions from being included in the respondent’s answer.
Macalintal also expressed concern that the required 13 votes for a motion to quash could become attainable if there are changes in Senate leadership.
“Iyon ang aking inaalala doon kasi yung pagkakapalit ng leadership sa Senate ay labing tatlong boto lamang ang kinakailangan para mapalitan si Sen. [Tito] Sotto, ni Sen. [Alan Peter] Cayetano,” he said.
“And yung motion to quash the articles of impeachment ay nangangailangan lamang din yan ng 13 votes,” he added.
Macalintal further noted that the grounds for a possible motion to quash could mirror the arguments previously raised by Duterte’s camp in response to the impeachment complaint before the House of Representatives, including alleged violations of due process and lack of factual basis.
“So kung nakuha nila yung 13 votes doon sa kaso ni Sen. [Alan Peter] Cayetano, ay hindi malayo na yung 13 votes na yan makuha rin sa sandaling mag-file ng motion to dismiss or motion to quash the articles of impeachment,” he said.
