VP's impeachment like 'raw and stale rice' — Marcoleta

Senator Rodante Marcoleta has criticized the Articles of Impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, likening them to "raw and stale rice" after the Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional.

In an ambush interview during the distribution of rice packs to evacuees in Pasig City, Marcoleta questioned the validity of the impeachment case, pointing to what he called flaws in the filing process.

“Malinaw na malinaw ‘yon hindi ba? Napansin ng Korte Suprema na mali naman talaga yong paghahain nila ng impeachment,” Marcoleta said.

Marcoleta, who was recently elected to the Senate, expressed his frustration with the impeachment process and used the analogy of rice to explain his view on the matter.

“Imbes na isa lang ang ihain, apat. Pero kumbaga sa niluto na kanin, hilaw na hilaw, panis pa yong iba. Papaano mo ipapakain sa Senado yon? Hindi puwede yon,” he added.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte were unconstitutional, citing violations of the one-year rule under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution. This rule stipulates that only one impeachment complaint can be filed against an impeachable official within a single year.

“Malinaw na malinaw. One plus one, plus one, plus one, apat. Sabi ng Saligang Batas isa lang ang isusulong sa isang taon,” Marcoleta insisted.

The senator further criticized the handling of the impeachment complaints, claiming that some were "killed" while one was "resurrected," and emphasized the need for transparency in the process.

“Kailangan malinaw pati yong paraan, pati proseso, walang dapat na tinatago. Itinago nila yong tatlo, pinatay nila tapos binuhay yong isa. Walang ganun eh,” Marcoleta added.

The first three complaints were filed by private individuals and some groups in Congress in December 2024, while the fourth was filed in February 2025. The fourth complaint was pushed through a resolution and approved by more than a third of the 19th Congress.

“Apat po ang ginawa, pinagloloko nila. Yong tatlo pinatay, yong isa binuhay, panis, hilaw na hilaw pa. Hindi pupuwedeng kainin,” Marcoleta concluded.

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that no further action can be taken on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte for the time being.