Several senators warned on Saturday that a constitutional crisis could ensue if the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional is defied.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri urged his fellow lawmakers to heed the High Court’s en banc ruling, which invoked the Constitution’s one-year bar on impeachment proceedings and due process guarantees.

“We should not disregard the Supreme Court ruling. Because if we do, we may be courting a contempt order from the Court and a possible constitutional crisis,” Zubiri told reporters Saturday.

He underscored the dangers of defying the ruling, noting that the Court had decided en banc and unanimously. “This is the foundation of our democracy. Whether we agree with the decision or not, the Supreme Court remains the final arbiter of all constitutional issues,” he said.

As this developed, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said the Senate may continue with the impeachment trial of Duterte even as Representative Leila de Lima maintained that the fight goes on for accountability (See related story).

Zubiri cited the 1936 case of Angara v. Electoral Commission whose landmark decision affirmed the power of a judicial review, warning that ignoring it would erode the system of checks and balances.

“Ignoring the Supreme Court decision is definitely tantamount to eroding the very principle of judicial review,” he said. “Doing so in turn endangers the delicate system of checks and balances.”

“Lest we want to destabilize the framework of our government, we must respect and honor the Supreme Court of the Republic. Period. No debate about that,” he added.

Senators Erwin Tulfo and Raffy Tulfo likewise expressed respect for the High Court’s authority, though they maintained that the Senate remains constitutionally empowered to try and decide impeachment cases.

“I respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the constitutional limits that guide the impeachment process,” said Erwin Tulfo, who added that he was prepared to discharge his duty if the trial had proceeded. “I was ready to listen to clear evidence and the true voice of the people.”

He added that the matter will be tackled when the Senate reconvenes on Monday. “I am sure this will be discussed — whether to follow or set aside the SC decision.”

One-year ban

The Supreme Court ruling effectively halted the impeachment case filed against Duterte, citing the constitutional prohibition on filing more than one complaint against the same official within a year, and the failure to observe due process.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a Duterte ally, welcomed the decision, describing it as a validation of the position he and others earlier took to remand the complaints over questions of procedural validity.

“Now that the Supreme Court has issued a decision, let us respect it,” Go said in a statement, calling the ruling a path to national unity.

Go recalled his remarks during the 10 June Senate plenary session, where he stressed the need to ensure legal processes before any judgment.

“Yes, we are senator-judges tasked to decide on this matter and we took an oath to be impartial. But this matter, whether it went through the right process or not, should first be decided upon and settled,” he had said.

He said the Court’s ruling “answered our questions” on the four impeachment complaints that breached constitutional and procedural requirements.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. And justice conducted the wrong way is no justice at all. Hindi pwede ang (You can’t have a) shortcut,” Go said.

The senator also called on his colleagues to shift their focus back to legislation and government service, especially in light of the recent storms and flooding.

“There is still much legislation needed to improve government services and programs and bring them closer to the Filipinos,” he said.

“Let us focus on what truly matters to the people we serve — justice done the right way and public service that genuinely helps Filipinos.”