Noted constitutionalist Justice Antonio Carpio has raised eyebrows over the involvement of judges aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Carpio’s concerns stem from the fact that some of these judges have publicly expressed their support for the administration, leading to questions about their impartiality and potential bias towards the president’s allies.
Senate President Francis Escudero has defended the rights of his colleagues who are also Supreme Court justices to participate in the impeachment process, citing Article 3 Section 2 of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech and expression for all officials, including judges.
Carpio, however, pointed out that while this provision does protect the right to free speech, it does not explicitly grant judges immunity from criticism or disciplinary actions. He emphasized that judges must remain neutral and impartial in their roles, particularly during impeachment proceedings.