The Impeachment Trial Is Violative of Due Process

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The impeachment trial is violative of due process Human rights are the basic rights which are inherent in man by virtue of his humanity. There are inherent rights and acquired rights embodied in the Constitution. The fundamental law of the land does not confer upon every Filipino these rights but rather provides for guaranties that the right to life, liberty and property will always be upheld and that the reach of the protection touch all persons regardless of status, class or origin. Due process cannot be couched in an exacting definition. Numerous attempts have been made throughout history to understand the broad concept of due process. In Bernas’ commentary, due process is to be understood “to relate chiefly to the mode of procedure which government agencies must follow” and thus “was understood as a guarantee of procedural fairness”1. This was further elaborated by Daniel Webster when he presented his argument before the Supreme Court of the United States in the famous Dartmouth College Case and said: By "due process of law," is "by the law of the land ... a law which hears before it condemns; which proceeds upon inquiry, and renders judgment only after trial. The remaining is, that every citizen shall hold his life, liberty, property, and immunities, under the protection of the general rules which govern society." (4 Wheaton, U.S., 518, 581.) "Due process of law" contemplates notice and opportunity to be heard before judgment is rendered, affecting one's person or property. "Due process of law" is not every act, legislative in form, that is, law. Arbitrary power, enforcing its edicts to the injury of the persons and property of the citizens, is not law.2 Simply put, the government cannot deprive a person of his right to life, liberty and property unless it has subscribe to proper forms and procedure. Nonetheless, the due process clause should not only

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