THE timing of when the constitutional penalties would take effect if Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is convicted could become significant ahead of the filing of candidacies for the 2028 elections, according to House impeachmnet adviser Ace Barbers.
Barbers, who is also a spokesperson of the prosecution team, raised the procedural issue while discussing the possible endgame of Duterte’s impeachment trial and the continuing dispute over the conviction threshold.
“How soon will the penalties be imposed on the respondent ….. kasi importante yun,” Barbers said.
The Constitution limits the penalties for impeachment to removal from office and disqualification from holding public office, without prejudice to the filing of criminal cases against the removed official.
Duterte has repeatedly figured prominently in early surveys of possible candidates for the 2028 presidential race, although no candidacy has yet been filed and the impeachment court has not rendered a judgment.
Barbers connected his procedural question to the timetable for the next national elections.
“Remember ang filing of certificate of candidacy for next 2028 is August of 27th. So, they moved it back eh,” Barbers said.
He stressed that he was raising the matter personally rather than announcing a formal prosecution position on how the impeachment court should implement any judgment.
“Ako personal question ko lang yun. Dapat ba mabilisan kaagad yun?” Barbers clarified.
The issue would arise only if Duterte is convicted, after her defense first presents its evidence and the senator-judges deliberate on the sole remaining impeachment article.
Barbers distinguished the constitutional consequences of impeachment from criminal or administrative proceedings arising from the same alleged conduct.
“Dito naman kasi sa impeachment, alam naman natin na ang penalty lang nito ay tanggalin siya sa puwesto at i-disqualify siya perpetually from holding public office but yung criminal element nung kanyang nagawang paglabag sa ating mga batas,” Barbers said. “Tuloy tuloy po yan.”
The prosecution has concluded its presentation of evidence. The defense is set to begin presenting its evidence next month.
metrosundaily
