12
49.
Resolution No. 0004-2003-TC was the result of an unconstitutionality suit filed by
engineer Gustavo Pinto Albornoz with the backing of more than 1,000 citizens in order to challenge
the constitutionality of Law No. 2002-88, in relation with Article 113 of the Labor Code on both
substantive and procedural grounds. In relation to the form, the motion indicated that the National
Congress erroneously characterized the law as one of interpretation and not as an amendment, and
therefore sent it to the Official Registry for publication without having previously sent it to the
President of the Republic for his approval or objection, as provided for in the Constitution. As for the
merits, the unconstitutionality suit indicated that the modification of the legal reference for
calculating the 14th remuneration or educational bond established by that law – which ceased being
the general vital minimum salary (SMVG: salario mínimo vital general) and became the minimum
basic remuneration – was three times the value of this supplemental wage, even for public sector
workers, which implied a violation of the constitutional provision that only the President of the
Republic shall be able to introduce legislation to increase public spending. The Constitutional Court
ruled favorably on the positions put forth, and declared the unconstitutionality of Law No. 2002-88
on procedural grounds. 18
50.
On May 31, 2004, legislator Segundo Serrano Serrano filed a motion of censure
against Constitutional Court members Oswaldo Cevallos Bueno, Jaime Nogales Izurieta, Miguel
Camba Campos, Luis Rojas Bajaña, Simón Zabala Guzmán, and Manuel Jaramillo Córdova, given
that in Resolution No. 025-2003-TC “[they repudiated] a way of calculating proportional
representation, which allows for plural and democratic representation, with the participation of the
majorities and minorities. 19 On July 7, 2004, legislator Antonio Posso Salgado filed a motion to
censure Constitutional Court members Miguel Camba Campos, Manuel Jaramillo Córdova, Luis
Rojas Bajaña, Jaime Nogales Izurieta, and Simón Zavala Guzmán, on the same grounds. 20
51.
Resolution No. 025-2003-TC resolved the unconstitutionality suit based on Articles
105 and 106 of the Electoral Law, brought by economist Xavier Neira Menéndez, with the clearance
report (informe de procedencia) by the Human Rights Ombudsperson (Defensor del Pueblo), which
indicates that the D’Hondt system for distributing legislative seats thwarted the intent of the
electorate in those countries that have open-list electoral systems. The Constitutional Court ruled
favorably on the arguments put forth and found Articles 105 and 106 of the Electoral Law to be
unconstitutional. 21
52.
Based on the call that went out on November 25, in the December 1 session, the
first point of the Order of the Day was the debate on the censure motions filed in the four
impeachment proceedings against the members of the Constitutional Court who were removed.
As the first point on the Order of Business of the regular session for Wednesday, December 1,
2004. The censure motions that were raised in the impeachment proceedings against the
following were debated: Oswaldo Cevallos, Luis Rojas, Jaime Nogales, Miguel Camba, Manuel
Jaramillo, René de la Torre, and Simón Zavala, in their capacity as judges of the Constitutional
Court, proposed by legislators Luis Villacís Maldonado, Antonio Posso Salgado, Marco Proaño
Maya, and Segundo Serrano Serrano. In addressing this issue, it was decided to vote in
chronological order; once this provision was executed, the following facts ensued. In
chronological order, the first censure motion presented corresponds to legislator Segundo
Serrano, who presented it on June 11, 2003. It was decided to vote on it, and the results
18
Annex 11. Resolution No. 004-2003-TC (annex to the petitioners’ brief of March 10, 2008).
19
Annex 12. Motion of Censure introduced by legislator Segundo Serrano Serrano, Official Note No. 106-SISS-KB-HCN-JP, of May
31, 2004 (annex to the petitioners’ initial petition).
20
Annex 13. Motion of Censure presented by legislator Antonio Posso Salgado, Official Note No. 535-APS-DPI-HCN, of July 7,
2004 (annex to the petitioners’ initial petition).
21
Annex 13. Resolution No. 025-2003-TC (annex to petitioners’ brief of March 10, 2008).