SC seeks comments on impeach petition

The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, and the House of Representatives to comment on a petition seeking to stop the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as concerns over the proceedings and public confidence in the tribunal persist.

In a notice dated 14 October, the high court ordered the respondents to submit their comments within five days on a petition filed by Senators Robinhood Padilla and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, along with officials and legal counsels of PDP Laban.

The petition challenges a 23 September ruling by the impeachment court allowing the two-thirds vote required for conviction to be based on the number of senator-judges legally and factually capable of participating, rather than the Senate’s full 24-member membership.

With six senator-judges reportedly unable to participate, the threshold would drop from 16 votes to 14. The petitioners argued that the ruling violated the Constitution, which they said requires 16 votes for conviction. They also sought a temporary restraining order or other provisional relief.

The dispute comes as the House prosecution panel has withdrawn three of the four impeachment articles against Duterte, leaving only Article II, which concerns her alleged unexplained wealth. The trial is scheduled to resume on 9 November, when the defense is expected to present its evidence.

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reggie Tongol, for his part, said the tribunal remained committed to transparency, impartiality and due process.

Tongol cited survey findings showing that 50 percent of respondents believed the court was giving both sides proper consideration, while 32 percent remained undecided. He said the court would treat public skepticism as a challenge and continue to base its judgment on evidence and the law when proceedings resume.