Senate respects SC ruling voiding VP Sara impeachment

The Senate, sitting as an Impeachment Court, on Friday acknowledged the Supreme Court's ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as “unconstitutional.”

In an official statement, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol emphasized the Senate’s commitment to constitutional order and the rule of law, saying the chamber will abide by the High Court’s decision as a co-equal branch of government.

“The Senate, sitting as an Impeachment Court, has always acted in deference to the Constitution and the rule of law. As a co-equal branch of government, we are duty-bound to respect the finality of rulings issued by the High Court,” Tongol told reporters, following the SC's unanimous declaration that the Articles of Impeachment are “unconstitutional.”

The Supreme Court’s decision, which effectively halts the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, was welcomed by Senate impeachment leadership as a necessary clarification on constitutional questions raised shortly after the filing of the Articles of Impeachment.

The High Court noted that Duterte’s impeachment case was barred by the one-year rule under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution, and for violating the right to due process.

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states that “no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”

According to Tongol, the ruling "affirms the careful and deliberate posture taken by the Impeachment Court" in recognizing the legal uncertainties surrounding the case before trial proceedings could begin.

The Court’s ruling validates the prudence and restraint exercised by the Senate majority in recognizing those legal uncertainties from the outset.

The Senate had previously suspended its impeachment proceedings, awaiting a judicial determination on whether the allegations met the constitutional standard for impeachment. With the Supreme Court’s declaration, those proceedings are now considered moot unless new legal developments arise.

Tongol also noted that the Senate is awaiting the official transmittal of the Supreme Court’s full decision and any related guidance that may influence the Senate’s jurisdiction over similar cases in the future.

The Senate remains committed to upholding constitutional order, ensuring due process, and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Duterte has not yet issued a formal statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The Articles of Impeachment against Duterte were filed earlier this year by members of the House of Representatives, citing the Vice President’s alleged gross misconduct and betrayal of public trust.

Several legal analysts had questioned the constitutional sufficiency of the charges, prompting petitions for judicial review that culminated in the Supreme Court’s ruling this week.