SC Speaks on VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Case
SARA DUTERTE – The Supreme Court has ruled that the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President is “unconstitutional”.
Last February, Vice Pres. Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives. Before the 19th Congress adjourned, the Senate, as an impeachment court, ruled for the return of the Articles of Impeachment to the lower chamber.
The senator judges have questions over the constitutionality of the impeachment case against Duterte. It also sought a reconfirmation from the 20th Congress to ensure its willingness to tackle the case.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified that the return of Duterte’s impeachment to the House does not equate to the dismissal or termination of the case. According to him, it is a chance for the prosecution team to answer questions before the senator judges would decide.
Eighteen senator judges voted in favor of the motion to remand the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives. Five (5) senator judges opposed the motion.
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
Several senators and former senators claimed that there is allegedly no concept of return in the legal process. However, Senate Pres. Escudero who is the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court maintained that the impeachment court can decide over anything.
Previously, the spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) claimed that the Philippine government will be able to save millions of money if the impeachment case against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will be dismissed. Meanwhile, on another side, Atty. Ruth Castelo stressed that the Vice President is ready if the trial pushes through.
Recently, the Supreme Court’s spokesperson, Atty. Camille Ting, announced the decision of the High Court over the impeachment case versus Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, the SC declared the case unconstitutional.
“The SC has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus VP Sara Duterte is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies in all stages of the impeachment process,” Ting said.
Four (4) impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte in 2024 and it was the fourth complaint that was transmitted to the Senate. The Vice President is surrounded by issues over her alleged misuse of the Confidential Funds of her office.
Prior to the decision of the court, the House of Representatives declined to answer 3 questions of the Supreme Court over the impeachment of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.