House ‘arrogant, ignorant’ for defying SC — Topacio

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Wednesday blasted the House of Representatives for refusing to respond to the Supreme Court’s queries on the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, describing the chamber’s stance as both “arrogant” and “ignorant.”

Topacio, who serves as PDP-Laban’s spokesperson on impeachment matters, made the statement after the House insisted that its deliberations were “internal proceedings” and thus beyond the High Court’s jurisdiction.

“This is not only an unabashedly extravagant display of utter presumptuousness, but a blatant disregard of the Constitution,” Topacio said. “Their refusal to cooperate is not only arrogant, but ignorant as well.”

The Supreme Court had earlier sought information from the House in connection with petitions challenging the impeachment complaints against Duterte. Petitioners have argued that the proceedings violate the constitutional one-year bar on filing multiple impeachment complaints against the same official.

Topacio rejected the House’s position, saying it disregards the Court’s constitutionally granted power to review actions of any branch of government in cases of alleged grave abuse of discretion.

“The Constitution makes it the duty of the Supreme Court to determine whether there has been grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction,” he said. “To do that, the Court must be able to ask questions and obtain information.”

He likened the High Court’s role to that of a trial judge seeking clarificatory questions and dismissed claims of judicial overreach as “pure and unadulterated hogwash.”

Topacio further warned that the House’s refusal to provide documents or respond to questions could be interpreted as an attempt to withhold potentially damaging evidence.

“That gives rise to the presumption that the evidence being withheld is adverse,” he said, adding that the House may be “acting in bad faith by trying to conceal proof of its transgression of the Constitution.”

He concluded that the lower chamber’s stance undermines the foundations of democracy.

“These contumacious acts do not bode well for a well-ordered democratic government adhering to the rule of law,” he said.