Another expert in constitutional law yesterday disclosed that the Supreme Court has the power to review actions of an impeachment court, in this case, the ruling of the Senate requiring a commercial bank to produce the records on Chief Justice Renato Corona’s dollar deposit.

Fr. Ranhilo Aquino, dean of the San Beda Graduate School of Law, explained the impeachment court which is trying Corona is not an independent republic and still remains part of the government.

Furthermore, Aquino stressed the High Court was vested with the constitutional power to interpret laws with different interpretations.

“The (impeachment) court remains a part of the government so it remains under the review of the Supreme Court,” Aquino said.

The other day, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas said the SC has the jurisdiction over petitions involving cases with grave abuse of discretion in any proceedings like the impeachment trial of Corona.

Speaking before the Philippine Constitutional Assembly (Philconsa)  oathtaking ceremony of its new officers and members at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday, Bernas disclosed the 1987 Consitution gave the SC the power to interpret laws.

Bernas noted that even if the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment complaint and the Senate to try impeachment cases, there were instances in the past that the court intervened to stop impeachment proceedings on the ground of  grave abuse of discretion.   Hector Lawas