Philippine congressmen warn that even if Vice President Sara Duterte chooses to resign before or during the impeachment trial, the Senate impeachment court still has the authority to decide whether to ban her from holding public office in the future.
"1-Knight" party group congressman Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez emphasized that the impeachment process is not just for the removal of an official, but may also include a ruling that prohibits the impeached from holding any public office in the future.
"Resignation might evade removal, but the permanent prohibition from holding public office still applies," Gutierrez said at a press conference on February 17, "If resignation alone could evade responsibility, it would undermine the power of the Senate impeachment court, which is unreasonable."
As one of the 11 House prosecutors in charge of the impeachment case, Gutierrez stated that the House is still advancing the preparations for impeachment, and whether to continue the impeachment trial will be decided by the Senate impeachment court, even if Sara Duterte decides to resign.
"We are still preparing for the impeachment trial, whether Sara decides to resign or not, but this will not affect our preparations." he added, "If she resigns before the trial, and the Senate decides to proceed with the case, we will be ready to respond. If the resignation occurs during the trial, we will also act according to the procedure."
Currently, Sara Duterte has not yet made a statement on this matter, and the public is closely watching the next decision of the Senate impeachment court.
