Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Thursday that both the House of Representatives and Vice President Sara Duterte must comply with the orders of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
In a media interview, Escudero was asked to respond to House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s remarks criticizing the Senate for remanding the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte back to the House.
“That is the decision of the impeachment court. As prosecutors, they should respect and follow it. The same goes for VP Sara — she should also respect and comply with the summons issued by the impeachment court,” Escudero said in Filipino.
Before Congress adjourned sine die on Wednesday night, Romualdez expressed concern over the Senate’s move, calling it “deeply concerning.”
“I rise, not in defiance, but with resolve, guided by duty, grounded in principle. The decision of the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to return the articles of impeachment is deeply concerning,” Romualdez said.
Despite his criticism, Romualdez assured that the House "will comply with the requirements of the impeachment court" to ensure that the process moves forward.
“In matters of truth and accountability, the House does not back down,” he added.
The House later adopted a resolution certifying that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte did not violate the 1987 Constitution, in line with the impeachment court’s directives.
Eighteen senator-judges, including Escudero, voted to return the articles of impeachment to the House, outvoting five who dissented — Senators Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Win Gatchalian, and Nancy Binay.
Under the Senate impeachment court’s order, the House is required to certify that it did not violate the one impeachment proceeding per year rule under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the 1987 Constitution.
Notably, three impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte in December 2024, but the House only acted on the fourth complaint, which was transmitted to the Senate on 5 February, the last session day before the midterm election recess.
The impeachment court also directed that members of the incoming 20th Congress express willingness to pursue the case — a move widely interpreted as signaling the possible abandonment of the impeachment effort following the midterm election results.
In the May elections, only six out of twelve candidates from the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas won Senate seats. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, the coalition’s campaign manager, blamed the House’s impeachment move for the coalition's poor showing.
Weeks after the elections, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the courtesy resignation of his Cabinet members as part of efforts to “recalibrate” his administration. He also extended an offer of reconciliation to the Duterte family, a gesture viewed by some as a possible concession in a broader political rift.
Meanwhile, the House has deferred acceptance of the impeachment articles that it had previously submitted to the Senate with the support of 215 lawmakers — well over the constitutional threshold.
Asked for a comment, Escudero said only the impeachment court can determine the effect of the House decision not to accept the articles, adding that it has yet to formally receive the certification.
“Only the court can determine the effect of that, not me as chairperson and presiding officer. Second, that’s just a report in the media — we haven’t formally received anything yet. As I said, now that the matter is with the court, all communication should be done through pleadings and not on social media,” he said.
“We have not received anything. When we adjourned last night, it was not there yet — not even by nine o’clock,” he added.
Escudero also addressed claims that the Senate violated the Constitution by returning the articles to the House.
“The only one who can say whether something done by any agency is constitutional or not is the Supreme Court — not them, and not us either,” he said.