Congress to comply with SC’s request RE Sara’s impeachment

Following request from the Supreme Court, the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives expressed their compliance to comment and submit information regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a notice dated 8 July, the SC En Banc consolidated the petition filed by Duterte against the validity and constitutionality of the fourth impeachment complaint against her and the petition filed by lawyer Israelito Torreon and others seeking to declare the articles of impeachment null and void.

The High Bench required the House to submit information regarding the status of the first three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte, the exact dates these were endorsed, and whether the secretary general possesses discretion on when to transmit these to the speaker of the House of Representatives.

The court, aside from this, also asked the House to provide the basis and authority of the secretary general to refuse the transmittal of the complaints.

The members of the House if they had the time to peruse the charges and evidence on the articles before affixing their consent and whether it was included in the order of business of the House of Representatives for consideration of the plenary.

The three impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte in December 2024, all of which were connected with the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

But it was the fourth impeachment complaint that was endorsed by over one-third of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, and was later on transmitted to the Senate.

On the other hand, the SC asked the Senate to provide which committee prepared the draft of the articles of impeachment and when it was completed.

The Senate was also asked by the court whether Duterte was given the opportunity to be heard on the evidence shared with the members of the House.

A non-extendible period of 10-days was given by the SC to the respondents from notice.

House spokesperson Princess Abante confirmed receipt of the SC resolution dated 8 July. Abante assured that the House, including Secretary-General Reginald Velasco, who are named respondents to the case, will “submit the additional information…and will comply accordingly.”

“We have already referred the Resolution to the Office of the Solicitor General, as our counsel, and shall coordinate closely with the OSG to ensure the submission of the required information within the non-extendible period of ten days provided by the Supreme Court,” Abante said in response to the SC.