Ferdinand S. Topacio, spokesperson for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, on Friday called on the House prosecution panel to clearly respond to the Senate’s requirements for certifying that the complaint complies with the Constitution’s one-year ban rule.

“We call out the House prosecution panel to say what it means and mean what it says in connection with the requirements of the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, for the House to make the necessary certifications that the impeachment complaint is compliant with the one-year ban rule provided for in the Constitution, as well as affirm that the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress is still interested in pursuing an impeachment case that was started during the defunct 19th Congress,” Topacio said.

He criticized what he described as conflicting messages from the House panel. Topacio cited opposition lawmaker Leila de Lima’s argument that the Senate’s certification requirements are “ultra vires,” contrasted with the statement of another congressman, Joaquin Chua, that the House is doing its best to comply.

“Right now, we are witnessing the amusing spectacle of the House prosecution panel speaking with forked tongues. On one hand, we have De Lima — whose record when it comes to obeying the Constitution is far from sterling — saying that such requirements are ‘ultra vires,’ while another congressman (Chua) stating that the chamber is trying its best to comply. Ano ba talaga?” he said.

Topacio further challenged De Lima to bring the issue before the Supreme Court if she believes the Senate has overstepped its authority.

“If De Lima is truly convinced that what the Senate is demanding is outside of the scope of its powers as an impeachment court, then she should test her theory before the Supreme Court. But then again, it seems she also has a problem with obeying the orders of the High Tribunal when she contumaciously and arrogantly disregarded the TRO the Supreme Court issued in the case of Rep. Gloria Arroyo in 2011. It must be remembered that she ultimately lost that case,” he said.

He continued, “If De Lima does not have the courage of her convictions, then she should keep silent; in other words, put up or shut up. And if she cannot abide by the orders of the impeachment court, then she has no place in the prosecution panel, or even as a member of the Bar.”