Flashcards Studio

An Ombudsman, Atty. Maria Santos, is accused by the House of Representatives of two impeachable offenses: (i) gross neglect of duty resulting in substantial financial loss to the government, and (ii) using her office to influence a procurement award to a firm in which she has a substantial financial interest. The House, after due process, adopts two articles of impeachment and transmits them to the Senate. The Senate convicts and removes the Ombudsman from office and disqualifies her from future public service.   (a)Identify the controlling doctrine on impeachment and assess whether the House’s act to initiate impeachment is proper under the Constitution. (b)What is the effect of a conviction by the Senate on the official’s office and her future eligibility for public office? (c)Can the same acts be the basis of criminal charges in the ordinary courts? Explain your answer with the governing rationale.