House to Comply with Senate's Impeachment Certification After SONA, Confirms Flores

The House of Representatives can only comply with the certification requirement from the Senate impeachment court after President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. This was stated by Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, one of the House prosecutors in the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, in a DZMM radio interview on Friday, July 4.

Before the end of the 19th Congress, the Senate requested a certification from the House of Representatives regarding the impeachment case in the 20th Congress. The House, which sent the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the Senate on Feb. 5, is waiting for the formal organization of the 20th Congress to decide on the certification.

Flores explained that no certification or compliance can be done until the 20th Congress is organized and starts, which will be after the SONA. President Marcos will deliver his fourth SONA on July 28, followed by the election of the House Speaker and the constitution of its members.

Impeachment cases have a complex certification aspect as only one case per year can be pursued against an impeachable officer in Congress. Flores emphasized that Duterte's trial is not optional and should proceed once the 20th Congress formally convenes.

According to Flores, the Senate is considered a continuing body, suggesting that the senator-judges could start the trial anytime if they wished. Despite questions on the certification requirement's propriety and constitutionality, Flores emphasized the obligation of the Senate to hear and decide the case once it is filed.