Teacher asks SC to define ‘forthwith’ in relation to Sara impeachment trial
A 28-year-old high school teacher on Monday asked the Supreme Court to resolve key constitutional questions surrounding the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, including the provision stating that the trial must proceed “forthwith.”
John Barry Tayam, who is also running for House representative in the lone district of Las Piñas against Sen. Cynthia Villar, said he had previously written to Senate President Francis Escudero and the Office of the President (OP) seeking clarification on the matter.
He said he was “already exhausted” after seeking answers without receiving a response, leaving the Supreme Court as his final recourse.
In an ambush interview after filing a petition for declaratory relief, Tayam cited Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 4 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that once a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all House members, it shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall “forthwith proceed.”
“So how do they interpret ‘forthwith?’” he said.
He also pointed to Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the President “may call a special session at any time.”
“So if you’re in the executive and you see that the legislative’s action is unconstitutional, and you have the power to call for a special session on impeachment, then there should be an initiative to do so,” Tayam said.
He asked the high tribunal to render an interpretation of the constitutional issues he raised.
