House to abide by SC on impeachment row

The House prosecution panel has assured that it will abide by the Supreme Court’s decision should it rule against their motion for reconsideration on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, even as it maintained the Senate acted too soon in archiving the case.

Speaking at a public forum in Quezon City on Saturday, panel spokesperson Atty. Antonio Bucoy said the lower chamber will not trigger a constitutional crisis.

“The House will not cause a constitutional crisis. The reason, the catalyst, for a constitutional crisis will never be caused by the House,” Bucoy said.

Bucoy’s remarks came days after the Senate voted 19-4-1 to archive the articles of impeachment transmitted by the House. Only Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino opposed the move, while Senator Ping Lacson abstained.

According to Bucoy, the Senate’s decision to archive — rather than table — the case creates unnecessary hurdles should the SC later rule in favor of the House’s motion for reconsideration.

“With the archiving, there are more layers. A senator would have to move to revive it or take it out of the archive. That will be subject to a vote. What if they vote against it?” he said, warning this could potentially lead to a deadlock or even a constitutional crisis.

Bucoy argued it would have been “cleaner and more practical” if the Senate had kept the case on the table, making it easier to resume the proceedings if needed.

For now, he said, the House will await the SC’s decision. If the Court rules in their favor, they will press on with the impeachment process; if not, they will accept the outcome.

“We will comply. We will not abandon our constitutional duty, but neither will we defy the Supreme Court,” Bucoy said.

Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin echoed Bucoy, underscoring that lawmakers have an obligation to hold public officials to account without plunging the country into political turmoil.

“A constitutional crisis should not have a place in the Philippines,” Garin said, adding that the House plans to refile the impeachment case in 2026. She maintained the case is supported by “facts and pieces of evidence” that merit another attempt.

The House filed the impeachment case earlier this year, accusing VP Sara Duterte of alleged violations and misconduct. The SC, however, ruled against the House in a decision that prompted it to seek a motion for reconsideration — a legal bid now awaiting judgment.