A group of 17 individuals, composed of lawyers and private citizens, filed a Petition-in-Intervention to the Supreme Court (SC) to include them to join the legal challenge already submitted by the Vice President, which seeks to halt the House of Representatives from proceeding with the impeachment process. 

The group argued that the proceedings would directly impact their constitutional rights as Filipino citizens, taxpayers, and stakeholders, particularly in Mindanao, “where public confidence in constitutional order, institutional fairness, and nonselective governance carries special and immediate public consequence.”

The petitioners stressed that the constitutional harm is no longer hypothetical, citing ongoing hearings and the issuance of subpoenas. 

They urged the Supreme Court to act swiftly, asserting that inaction would amount to acquiescence in the alleged violation of the Vice President’s rights.

“Petitioners-in-intervention do not ask this Honorable Court to intrude into a political contest. They ask it to perform its constitutional duty before an allegedly unconstitutional process becomes fully entrenched. The controversy is no longer theoretical. The constitutional injury is already unfolding. Hearings have been held, subpoenas have issued, and the challenged process is now producing real constitutional consequences,” they said during a press conference..

The group also requested a Temporary Restraining Order to suspend the impeachment process until the Court resolves the case.

“The intervention will not delay the proceedings but will aid the Court in addressing the constitutional concerns raised,” the petition stated.

The impeachment complaints against Duterte accuse her of betrayal of public trust, misuse of confidential funds, and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family. 

The House committee on justice has already found the complaints sufficient in form, substance, and ground; and will continue its deliberation on 14 April on whether there is probable cause to impeach the Vice President.