Accessibility and equity are the intrinsic features of democratic institutions.
Every citizen is entitled to avail of our legal processes. Thus, every citizen has a right to file an impeachment complaint endorsed by a member of the House of Representatives against any impeachable officer on grounds laid by the Constitution, following the doctrine of accountability of public officials.
Hence, officials holding high positions in the government, such as Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, remain accountable to the people regardless of their performance in their respective lines of duty.
In the same manner that every citizen may seek legal redress for grievances, the Constitution also grants the presumption of innocence to those properly charged with an impeachment complaint, as in all criminal and administrative fault-finding proceedings – and in accordance with the most basic tenet of due process that is, fundamental fairness.
As in all our previous positions on alleged culpabilities of officials at all levels of government, and in the interest of fair play and transparency, let the rule of law and the constitutional processes on impeachment take its course.
