Proposal for Duterte to be prosecutor in Sereno’s impeachment trial nonsense, says Panelo

October 9, 2017

A proposal for President Rodrigo Duterte to be a special prosecutor in the looming impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is "pure nonsense," his chief presidential legal counsel said on Monday.

In a statement, Secretary Salvador Panelo said Duterte, a lawyer by profession, is constitutionally prohibited to hold any other office during his tenure.

"Even assuming that there is no prohibition, such position diminishes the office of the presidency and departs from his functions and duties as mandated by the Constitution," Panelo said.

He explained that the House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate all kinds of impeachment hence its members are tasked to prosecute impeachable officers in impeachment trial in the Senate.

Panelo reiterated Duterte's statement he respects the independence of two co-equal branches of  government and he will never interfere with their constitutional functions.

"In his prime task of executing all the laws of the land and preserving and defending the Constitution he shall make sure that such independence is upheld," he added.

Lawyer Larry Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint against Sereno, has said Duterte could serve as a special prosecutor in Sereno's impeachment case.

The impeachment case against Sereno has been moving at the House of Representatives. Celerina Monte/DMS