TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Constitutional Court justice nominee Chen Tzu-yang (陳慈陽) addressed a range of politically charged legal questions on Monday, including the recent NT$10,000 (US$341) tax rebate and the president’s role in the ongoing legislative recall efforts.

In response to KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍), Chen said Constitutional Court precedent suggests the rebate issue falls within the scope of negotiation between the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan, per ETtoday. When asked to clarify whether the rebate is a budgetary or legislative matter, he declined to offer a definitive legal classification, framing it instead as a dispute between branches that must be resolved through constitutional mechanisms.

KMT Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) cited Chen’s past remarks, when he described a hypothetical scenario of a US president calling for the resignation of the speaker of the House as a constitutional crisis, to press him for comment on President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) support for the ongoing recall campaign, per ETtoday. Ko argued that the campaign seeks to restructure the balance of power within the Legislative Yuan.

In response, Chen said that while the president’s support for such a recall effort could raise constitutional concerns, it would not necessarily raise issues if the statements were made in a personal capacity. He added that the Constitutional Court needs to set clear boundaries when adjudicating politically sensitive matters, per UDN.

TPP Legislator Lin Kuo-cheng (林國成) questioned Chen about his ties to the DPP and his wife’s role on the party’s Arbitration Committee, per UDN. Chen responded that he has never held a party position while serving as a public official and emphasized that he and his wife maintain independent careers.

Responding to DPP Legislator Kuo Yu-ching (郭昱晴), Chen acknowledged the supplementary role of the Constitutional Court in addressing legislative gaps, per Newtalk. He said while the Court may offer temporary remedies, it is ultimately the legislature’s responsibility to enact lasting legal reforms.

Chen agreed that some existing statutes, particularly those concerning the statute of limitations in cases involving underage and teenage sexual assault victims, may potentially involve a violation of human rights. He noted that such victims often lack the capacity or agency to seek legal recourse within the existing timeframe, which could restrict their access to justice and warrant legislative revision.