Legarda seeks impeach trial resumption

Senator Loren Legarda on Sunday urged the Senate not to abandon plans to convene as an impeachment court until the House of Representatives has filed a motion for reconsideration of the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that halted the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We should not decide prematurely until the House of Representatives has exhausted all legal remedies,” Legarda said. “Due process must be observed regardless of where we stand on the issue in the pursuit of accountability, justice, truth, and fairness.”

Legarda’s call follows Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s announcement that “19 to 20” senators — out of 24 — are inclined to drop the trial in light of the SC ruling declaring the impeachment case void ab initio.

Before the 19th Congress adjourned, the Senate had committed to reconvene as an impeachment court. Legarda, part of the minority bloc, said the chamber should “let the process take its course” and await the SC’s final ruling before making any decision.

The House has until this week to file a motion for reconsideration. But House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said Sunday that the Senate seems set on halting the proceedings.

“Impeachment is all about accountability, but accountability can be masked by legal impediments,” Garin said. Still, she noted that House minority members, including Reps. Chel Diokno and Leila de Lima, are considering pushing forward with the trial — even if it means defying the SC.

Estrada earlier said that the Senate is “not above the law” and must comply with the SC decision.

House spokesperson Rep. Princess Abante warned the Senate risks “bypassing due process” if it ends the trial prematurely.

“Worse, it may be construed as a political shortcut that undermines the constitutional role of the House,” Abante said, adding that the SC ruling is not yet final and executory.

The SC unanimously declared the case unconstitutional, citing due process violations and the one-year bar on multiple impeachment complaints.

Duterte faced three complaints in December 2024 and was impeached in February 2025 after a fourth complaint was endorsed by 215 House members.

However, legal experts Adolfo Azcuna and Rene Sarmiento argued the bar did not apply because none of the earlier complaints were referred to the House justice committee.

Duterte is the first sitting vice president impeached by the House.