Retired Supreme Court Justices Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio Morales have asked the high court to reconsider its decision blocking the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the ruling undermines constitutional accountability measures.
On Tuesday, the 1Sambayan coalition — joined by religious leaders and human rights advocates — filed an omnibus motion for reconsideration, challenging the Court's 25 July verdict nullifying the impeachment complaint.
The Supreme Court had ruled that the House of Representatives violated the Constitution's one-year ban on repeated impeachment attempts when it transmitted the case to the Senate last February.
The motion contends that the House properly approved the complaint with a plenary vote before endorsement, contrary to the Court's finding that no formal action was taken. It also warns that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent by allowing officials to evade accountability through technicalities.
"Impeachment is the Constitution's check against abuse of power," the filing states. "By imposing new procedural hurdles, the Court has weakened this safeguard."
The group is also seeking an immediate status quo ante order to prevent the Senate from dismissing the case while the motion is pending. They further requested oral arguments to fully air constitutional concerns over the Court’s added requirements, including pre-trial evidentiary hearings for impeachment complaints.
Senate leaders had scheduled a vote to formally junk the case this week, citing the Supreme Court's "immediately executory" ruling. But legal observers say the fresh motion could delay final resolution for months.
The Office of the Solicitor General, representing Congress, has 15 days to respond.
Records show that at least three other motions for reconsideration have been filed since the landmark ruling.