Senate Majority lawmaker Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed dismay over the Senate’s decision to archive the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the move “premature and a tepid rather than a vigorous response” in defending the Senate’s sole power to try and decide impeachment cases in light of the Supreme Court ruling.

The senator emphasized that institutions must uphold and defend the provisions of the Constitution on public accountability, stressing that impeachment is a constitutional process designed to preserve public trust in high officials.

“Impeachment is not merely a political exercise that can be set aside for convenience or expediency. The Constitution specifically provides impeachment as a mechanism to ensure that our top officials remain answerable to the people,” he said. “Archiving the Articles of Impeachment while a pending Motion for Reconsideration by the HoR is pending before the Supreme Court is disrespectful of a co-equal and most unfortunate. It is the Senate getting ahead of itself.”

On 6 August, the senator cast one of only five votes urging the Senate to simply “put on the table” a motion by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to archive the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.

Pangilinan maintained that the Supreme Court ought to reconsider its earlier decision to declare Duterte’s impeachment case unconstitutional, apply the operative fact doctrine, and harmonize the conflicting provisions of the Constitution on judicial review, the exclusive power of the House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings, and the Senate’s authority to hold trial.

“While the impeachment is a political exercise, we must always remember our role to defend institutions that promote accountability. That goes beyond our political affiliations. Allowing the impeachment process to proceed would have demonstrated our commitment to truth, justice, and good governance,” Pangilinan said.

The senator urged the Filipino public to remain vigilant in safeguarding democratic processes.