BY ABP. OSCAR CRUZ
“IN case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.” (1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Section 2, Article XI)
Considering that the direct and indirect taxes exacted from the citizens not only from head to foot, but also from birth to death, are the means used for paying in full all public officials not simply for doing their work of public service but also for having a good life of their own – not to mention the receipt of all their fringe benefits, irrespective of whether they are doing their assigned agenda or taking their regular and long vacations – the above-cited constitutional provision on Impeachment such as by reason of a culpable violation of the Constitution, for betrayal of public trust and other serious crimes is not only sensible and proper but also just and right.
But there is a catch – considering the above-quoted required constitutional provision – even if the impeachment case filed is proven not only correct “in form” but also sufficient in “substance.”
There is the issue of numbers. There is also the matter of the members of the House of Representatives.
There is furthermore the question of the members of the Senate given the prerogative of undertaking the judicial process of the case.
All these particulars duly considered, the following conclusions appear both relevant and valid – specifically in these times and pursuant implications:
a. So it is that impeachment is a political exercise. The basic factor in the big success or miserable failure of the impeachment cases filed against the President is the latter’s faithful political allies in the House and in the Senate. Most of them are faithful and obedient to the President.
b. So it is that impeachment is a numbers game. It is a well-known fact and standing reality that majority of the members, not only of the House but also of the Senate, is openly obedient to the President for one reason or another. They are the big majority in the legislative department as a whole.
c. So it is that the impeachment is not really for offenses such as the culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and other serious causes. The present impeachment case against the President is therefore doomed to fail basically on account of politics and numbers.
It is not hard to understand all the above three observations simply by remembering the Chief Justice Corona impeachment case.
He was already impeached even before the trial – even with the presence of a mysterious “White Lady” and another mysterious postal delivery man or someone the like.
Ok?/PN
