• Office of Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman
• 0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137
• Official Website: http://www.edcellagman.com.ph
• 23 February 2011

          The precipitate decision of the House Committee on Justice to resume the impeachment proceedings without waiting for the finality of the Supreme Court decision recalling the status quo ante order is rash and regrettable.

           The right of a litigant to interpose a motion for reconsideration is a component of due process. Thwarting one’s opportunity to file a reconsideration effectively tramples the right to due process.

           The House leadership and the Committee on Justice have recognized the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court by filing pleadings and appearing for oral argument in connection with the petition of the Ombudsman. Perforce, they have to wait until the decision of the Supreme Court becomes final after the projected motion for reconsideration of the Ombudsman is disposed with finality.

           Prudence must temper victory and rashness is the image of prejudice.

           The sixty-day period within which the Committee on Justice has to resolve the impeachment case has been tolled by the pendency of the Supreme Court proceedings and will resume to run after the decision has become final.

           There is no need to rush. Ill-advised alacrity will lead to further delay.