MANILA, Philippines– A collective of lawyers from Mindanao, alongside officials of Davao City and various supporters, have moved to halt the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On Tuesday, this group filed a plea with the Supreme Court, urging them to intervene and stop the Senate from advancing with what they deem a flawed impeachment process.
The core of their appeal is a 114-page petition for certiorari and prohibition. It is signed by 28 prominent figures from different regions who argue that the complaint against Vice President Duterte is fundamentally defective.
The group claims that the charges lack substantial grounds and that the procedures leading to the trial do not align with due process requirements mandated by law.
The legal representatives, well-known in the Mindanao region, emphasize that the impeachment complaint does not meet necessary legal criteria.
The group of petitioners includes officials from Davao City, the Duterte family’s political stronghold.
This includes individuals closely associated with Vice President Duterte’s political career and allies who have stood by her policies and initiatives.
They argue that halting the impeachment trial is necessary to ensure fairness and adherence to judicial standards.
The petitioners also express concern over the potential impact of the trial on the national political landscape, stressing that it could set a precedent affecting future political processes.
The impeachment trial, initially set to proceed in the Senate, has been a subject of intense scrutiny.
