MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment court on Friday, July 25, said that it is “duty-bound” to respect the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to bar impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte for one year, citing due process.
“This decision affirms the careful and deliberate posture taken by the Impeachment Court — that constitutional issues surrounding the Articles required clarity before trial proceedings could commence,” it said in a statement.
It added that the SC decision validates the Senate majority’s actions about the impeachment trial.
“The Court’s ruling validates the prudence and restraint exercised by the Senate majority in recognizing those legal uncertainties from the outset,” it said.
The Senate impeachment court — particularly its presiding officer, Senate President Chiz Escudero —faced heavy criticism for delaying the impeachment proceedings. Critics accused Escudero of employing stalling tactics for his own political survival, aiming to retain his position as Senate leader in the 20th Congress. (READ: Chiz Escudero and his dilly-dallying over impeachment)
The SC on Friday released its decision on petitions seeking to dismiss the impeachment complaints against the Vice President, citing a violation of the Constitution’s one-year bar on successive filings.
Three impeachment cases were filed against Duterte in December 2024, but the House did not act on them. On February 5, a fourth complaint — fast-tracked through a resolution — led to her impeachment.
Senators split on SC decision
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Senator Bam Aquino said the Senate should proceed with Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“Nananawagan ako sa mga kapwa Senador na agad magsagawa ng caucus para talakayin ang desisyong binabalewala ang aming tungkulin sa Saligang Batas,” says Aquino.
(I am calling on my fellow Senators to immediately hold a caucus to discuss the decision that disregards our duty under the Constitution.)
Senator Risa Hontiveros said that she was dismayed by the SC decision, saying that she has many “disturbing questions about the short-term and long-term consequences of this ruling.”
“I can only hope that this new ruling will not adversely affect future efforts to hold our highest public officers accountable,” Hontiveros said.
“Malinaw pa rin ang Saligang Batas – public office is a public trust – at walang opisyal ang may karapatan sa posisyon,” she added. (The Constitution remains clear — public office is a public trust — and no official has an inherent right to their position.)
Meanwhile, Senator Kiko Pangilinan said would the SC have ruled differently had the Senate acted on the impeachment complaint in February when the Senate received the Articles of Impeachment.
“Sa ngayon nagsalita na ang Korte Suprema at kailangan igalang ito. Mapapaisip nalang tayo kung ganito pa rin ba ang magiging pasya ng SC kung sinunod ng Senado ang mandato ng Saligang Batas na ‘to forthwith proceed with trial’ gayong wala naman restraining order na inilabas yung SC nung inihain yung petisyon noong pang Pebrero?” Pangilinan asked.
(For now, the Supreme Court has spoken, and we must respect that. But one can’t help but wonder—would the SC’s decision have been the same if the Senate had followed the Constitution’s mandate to ‘forthwith proceed with trial,’ especially since the Court did not issue a restraining order when the petition was filed back in February?)
As expected, the pro-Duterte senators welcomed the development.
“Galangin at respetuhin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema,” said Senator Imee Marcos. (Honor and respect the decision of the Supreme Court.)
“When I moved for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint vs VP Sara, I was guided by the Holy Spirit. When the SC ruled it as unconstitutional, I’m sure they were guided also by the Holy Spirit,” said Senator Bato dela Rosa. – Rappler.com
