House Lead Prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro expressed hope that the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the complaints filed by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte would provide “closure” to allegations that the House Committee on Justice conducted unconstitutional impeachment proceedings.

Luistro, who chairs the House Justice panel, said she felt accountable for the accusations but maintained that the committee merely exercised the authority granted to it under the Constitution.

“We thank the Supreme Court for upholding the constitutional power not only of the House of Representatives but also of the Senate as the impeachment court. This is a clear indication that democracy and the Constitution exist in the country,” Luistro told reporters during an online press conference.

In a decision promulgated on Wednesday, August 5, the high court ruled that any resolution on the petitions filed by Duterte and a group of lawyers led by Atty. Israelito Torreon had become moot and academic, as the Senate had already begun proceedings on the Articles of Impeachment.

The Court, however, clarified that its ruling did not preclude any future findings regarding alleged irregularities in the proceedings conducted by the House Justice panel.

Torreon and his associates had sought to declare the proceedings led by Luistro unconstitutional, arguing that the committee overstepped its authority by gathering evidence and summoning witnesses to determine probable cause—a process they described as a “fishing expedition.”

For Luistro, the Supreme Court ruling was a victory for the Filipino people, as it affirmed the constitutional role of the House of Representatives as the body that initiates impeachment complaints.

The lawmaker also urged that the issue be put to rest, saying she expects the matter will no longer be raised during the Senate impeachment trial.

Meanwhile, private prosecutor Atty. Jay Tolosa clarified that the Supreme Court’s decision did not determine Duterte’s guilt or innocence.

Tolosa said the Court merely recognized that the House had already completed its constitutional duty, considering that the actions the petitions sought to halt had already taken place.

The lawyer emphasized that Duterte’s camp must now address the allegations before the proper venue—the Senate impeachment court.

“If the Vice President has answers, she must present them here before the impeachment court. If she has evidence, she must show it here. We saw that they attempted to stop the process by heading to the Supreme Court. Now it is clear that it was not successful,” he said.

“Since the case is at the Senate, that is where they should answer.”