Senators split on SC Sara ruling

The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte has sparked sharply contrasting reactions from members of the Senate. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada expressed support for the High Court's ruling declaring the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. 

“I welcome this decision, which serves as a vital reminder that all efforts to hold public officials accountable must be firmly grounded in legality and due process,” he said. 

While noting that he does not speak for the entire Senate, Estrada said he expects the upper chamber to respect the SC’s decision once the 20th Congress convenes.

“The Senate has always been firmly committed to the rule of law, and I expect the body, when we convene the 20th Congress, to take a collective stand by acceding to the High Court’s decision,” he said. 

“As a co-equal branch of government, we must abide by the decision of the Supreme Court,” he added. 

He also emphasized that accountability must always follow the rule of law and due process, even in politically charged proceedings like impeachment. 

“Even in a political process like impeachment proceedings, we must adhere to established procedures and due process to ensure that our actions are neither arbitrary nor solely driven by political agendas,” he said. 

Estrada underscored the importance of not allowing political motives to override legal principles. 

“Now, we can focus on more pressing issues confronting the country, as well as the rehabilitation of areas devastated by the spate of typhoons that have hit the country over the past several days,” he said. 

Stop politicking

Presidential sister, Senator Imee Marcos welcomed the High Court’s dismissal of Duterte’s case, urging her colleagues to move forward.

“Galangin at respetuhin ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema (respect and honor the decision of the Supreme Court),” she said.

Marcos then urged her fellow senators to stop using the issue for political gain and instead focus on their legislative duties.

“Sa mga kasamahan kong senador—Trabaho na tayo! Wag na mamulitika! (To my fellow senators—let’s go to work! Stop politicking!),” he said. 

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva emphasized the Upper chamber’s careful and deliberate approach to handling the impeachment case.

“The Senate has always acted with prudence, not haste.  We remain guided by our duty to uphold the rule of law and respect due process,” Villanueva said in a statement.

He stressed that the Senate respects the rule of law and due process, and will continue to act in accordance with the Constitution.

“As an impeachment court and as a legislative body, we remain committed to following the Constitution and established procedures and will continue to do so,” he said. 

Guided by the Holy Spirit

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a known ally of Duterte’s, claimed that the Supreme Court’s decision was guided by the Holy Spirit, declaring it a triumph over what he called “the forces of evil.”

“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. The Holy Spirit defeated the forces of evil! Hallelujah!,” he said. 

Calls to proceed on trial

In a separate statement, Senator Bam Aquino expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that it encroaches on the Senate’s constitutional mandate as the impeachment court.

“Matibay ang aking paninindigan na dapat ipagpatuloy ang impeachment trial (I firmly believe that the impeachment trial must continue),” Aquino said. 

“As a co-equal branch, the Senate’s constitutional authority must be respected.”

He called on his fellow senators to convene an urgent caucus to discuss what he described as a decision that “disregards our constitutional duties.”

“Bilang co-equal branch, malinaw ang mandato ng konstitusyon at kapangyarihan ng senado, kaya nararapat na irespesto ang proseso ng impeachment (As a co-equal branch of government, the Senate’s mandate and authority under the Constitution are clear, and the impeachment process must be respected),” he said. 

Aquino then urged his fellow senators to convene an urgent caucus to discuss what he described as a decision that “disregards the Senate’s constitutional duties.”

“Nananawagan ako sa mga kapwa Senador na agad magsagawa ng caucus para talakayin ang desisyong binabalewala ang aming tungkulin sa Saligang Batas (I call on my fellow senators to immediately hold a caucus to discuss this decision that disregards our constitutional duty),” he said. 

Risa slams ruling

Expressing her disappointment, Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned both the immediate and long-term implications of the High Court’s ruling to stop the impeachment proceedings.

“Bukod pa, nakakabahala na tila nagdagdag ng napakaraming requirement ang Korte Suprema para simulan ang proseso ng impeachment. I can only hope that this new ruling will not adversely affect future efforts to hold our highest public officers accountable,” she said.

While the Supreme Court clarified that its decision does not exonerate the Vice President and allows for a new impeachment complaint to be filed next year, the senator raised concerns over the interpretation of constitutional provisions.

“Maliwanag naman na sinabi ng Korte Suprema na hindi nila pinapawalang-sala si VP Duterte, at maaaring maifile ang impeachment complaint ulit next year.

She highlighted what she described as a misapplication of the “one-year bar rule”, a constitutional safeguard meant to protect impeachable officials from harassment through multiple complaints within a year. 

Citing the 2011 Supreme Court ruling in Gutierrez vs. House of Representatives (G.R. No. 193459), Hontiveros stressed that the bar is based on time, not the number of complaints.

“Isa sa ipinagtataka natin ay kung paano naviolate ang “one year bar rule” ngayong iisa lang naman ang kaso na iniakyat sa Senado,” she said, she noted, referencing the Court’s earlier explanation that the Constitution allows only one impeachment “ride” per year, regardless of how many complaints are filed.

The senator also warned that the ruling may have added new and potentially excessive requirements before an impeachment process can even begin, which she fears could undermine future efforts to hold top officials accountable.

“Malinaw pa rin ang Saligang Batas – public office is a public trust – at walang opisyal ang may karapatan sa posisyon,” Hontiveros asserted. “Lahat ng opisyal ng bayan ay may pananagutan sa bawat Pilipino.”

Hontiveros reaffirmed her commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in government, vowing to continue fighting for the constitutional right of the public to scrutinize and challenge their leaders.

“Lahat ng opisyal ng bayan ay may pananagutan sa bawat Pilipino, and the constitutional right of the people to hold their highest officials accountable must always prevail. The people have every right to demand answers. Ipaglalaban namin ito,” Hontiveros said.