Sotto warns of ‘constitutional crisis’ if SC halts congressional canvass

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Senate President Vicente Sotto III (right) leads the resumption of session Monday, May 17, 2021, after a Lenten break.

Joseph Vidal / Senate PRIB, file

 

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III warned Thursday that the country could be plunged into a “constitutional crisis” if the Supreme Court orders Congress to stop canvassing votes for president and vice president as asked for in petitions against presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

 

“If that happens, we will be courting a constitutional crisis from the fact that Congress can no longer meet after June 3rd,” Sotto said in a text message shared to reporters. “Who will then conduct the canvass as mandated by the Constitution?”

 

Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution directs Congress to canvass the votes for president and vice president and then proceed to proclaim winners for the respective elective posts.

 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/19/2182241/sotto-warns-constitutional-crisis-if-sc-halts-congressional-canvass

 

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