Transcript of Ambush Interview of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III

Q: Kasi the only way to remove a sitting Chief Justice is through impeachment, sir.

SP Pimentel: Under the Constitution, the meaning of the provision literally is that once in position, the high-ranking officials can only be removed from their positions through impeachment. If you invent some other proceeding which will result in the removal from office then that should violate that provision in the Constitution. Pag-aralan mabuti kasi medyo malabo.

Q: Sir, some are saying baka pwedeng itest yan. After all, yung mga bagong legal arguments pwedeng itest?

SPKP: Yun na nga i-justify natin ng maayos kasi pag-basa natin sa Constitutional provision ang message that we get is that the only way to remove these high-ranking government officials who are so-called impeachable officials is through impeachment. If all of a sudden there is another way to remove them, eh di where is that found? Yun ang tanong.

Q: So unconstitutional yung lumalabas?

SPKP: Ang first impression ko ay malabo. Basahin ko muna yung petition kung paano ba ang pagkasulat. Paano ba ang approach? Pero ganun lang tayo. Dun lang tayo sa basic principles ng Constitution, as worded.

Q: Sir, what do you think of the propriety of the Solicitor General filing that petition?

SPKP: Yun naman ang purpose ng solicitor-general is to file cases, defend cases to maybe contribute to jurisprudence. May mga ganun naman eh. It's a legitimate act of the Office of the Solicitor General. Ang tanong ko lang is mag-su-succeed ba?

Q: Sir, back to COA petition, pwede bang hayaan nalang matapos yung impeachment kay CJ Sereno bago humanap ng ibang paraan to remove si Chief Justice?

SPKP: Dapat siguro malaman ng taong bayan na kahit na yung mga excited nang paalisin si Chief Justice, dapat alam nila na ang Senate ay handa naman kami. We are ready, willing and able to conduct the impeachment proceeding. Basta yung avenue na 'yun, available po sa Senado yun. And also to assure the respondent, the Chief Justice, we will be fair. Kung walang ebidensya, acquit yan. Pero kung may ebidensya na, ibang usapan na 'yun. Pwede ring maconvict yun.