Palace: Respect SC decision on VP Sara impeachment, trust our institutions
"We have yet to review the full text of the Supreme Court's decision. We call on everyone to respect the Supreme Court and place their trust in our institutions," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro in a statement.
"The impeachment process is a matter handled by the legislative and judicial branches, and we recognize their independence in carrying out their constitutional mandates," she added.
The SC has ruled unanimously in deeming that the Articles of Impeachment are barred by the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 paragraph 5 of the Constitution. Moreover, magistrates ruled that the articles violate the right to due process.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa inhibited while Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh is on leave. The decision was penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.
With this development, the high court cannot acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings.
The SC's ruling is in relation to the consolidated petition filed by Duterte, lawyer Israelito Torreon, and others seeking to declare the Articles of Impeachment against her as null and void.
Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting clarified that the high tribunal "is not absolving" Duterte from the charges against her, but added that "any subsequent impeachment complaint" may only be filed starting February 6, 2026.
This is a day after the one-year anniversary of House of Representatives impeachment of Duterte, including its endorsement of the fourth complaint that constituted the Articles of Impeachment.
The SC decision is immediately executory. However, Ting said the House of Representatives may still file a motion for reconsideration. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
2 hours ago
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Proceed with VP Sara trial despite SC decision? Senators weigh in
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Whether we agree with the decision or not, the Supreme Court remains as the final arbiter of constitutional issues—lest we destabilize the very framework of government," Zubiri said. "Respect and honor the Supreme Court of the Republic. PERIOD," Zubiri added. Interviewed on Saturday morning, Senator Risa Hontiveros noted that more than a few of her colleagues in the Senate were dismayed with the Supreme Court ruling. Asked if there was still a chance for the impeachment trial to proceed this year, Hontiveros said, "Laging may pag-asa (There's always hope)." "Well, abangan natin. Nababalitaan ko may mga nagco-consider mag-file ng motion for reconsideration. May mga wise na mga column at sulat na inilalabas, payo, kung paano puwede pa ring sa diwa ng pagrespeto sa Korte Suprema, pero puwede pa ring salbahin yung proseso ng impeachment," Hontiveros said. (Well, let's see. I hear that there are those who are considering to file a motion for reconsideration. Wise columns and letters, advice, have come out, on respecting the Supreme Court while saving the impeachment process.) The high tribunal ruled unanimously, deeming that the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte is barred by the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 paragraph 5 of the Constitution. Moreover, magistrates ruled that the articles violate the right to due process. The Supreme Court also said the Senate cannot acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings. Upcoming discussion Senator Erwin Tulfo, for his part, said that while he respects the high court's decision, the Constitution gives the upper chamber the sole authority to try and decide on all impeachment cases. "I respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the constitutional limits that guide the impeachment process. Nonetheless, the Constitution is clear: the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment," Tulfo said. "If given the opportunity, I am prepared to discharge our solemn duty and allow the evidence to speak for itself… I will act with my fellow Senators in upholding our constitutional mandate with integrity and fairness," Tulfo said. Tulfo said senators will have a discussion on Monday, July 28, if the chamber will oblige with or ignore the SC's ruling. Call to proceed Following the announcement of the SC decision on Friday afternoon, Senator Bam Aquino had maintained that the impeachment trial should proceed as he called on fellow senators to immediately hold a caucus to discuss the decision, which he said "ignored" the Senate's constitutional duty. However, Senator Ping Lacson, in a post on X, said the Senate must respect and comply with the SC's ruling, "notwithstanding the contrary opinions of several legal observers, particularly on the Court's interpretation of Art XI Section 3, paragraph (4) - that the filing of a verified complaint by at least 1/3 of all the members of the House of Representatives shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed." Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, constitutional law expert Atty. Domingo "Egon" Cayosa said the Senate may opt to proceed with Duterte's trial despite the SC's decision should the legislature assert its "exclusive power" with regard to impeachment matters. Article XI Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution states that: "In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed." Constitutional duty Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, likewise, said that should the Senate proceed with the trial, a constitutional crisis may still be avoided. "I believe a way out of this impasse can be found in the opinion of former Justice [Adolf] Azcuna on the doctrine of operative facts wherein a Motion for Reconsideration is filed by the House of Representatives citing the operative facts doctrine as basis." "The Supreme Court may then reconsider its ruling and if so, the Constitutional duty for the Senate to forthwith proceed with trial can be observed and respected. In doing so, several provisions of the Constitution namely the Supreme Court's power of judicial review, the HoR (House of Represenatives) power to initiate impeachment complaints and Senate's power to try and decide Impeachment cases are harmonised and all three are given validity and legal effect as it ought to. It is a well established rule in constitutional construction that one provision of the Constitution should not be allowed to defeat another (Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary)," Pangilinan said. To recall, when the Senate impeachment court first convened on June 10, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa made a motion in the Senate plenary seeking that the verified impeachment complaint against Duterte be dismissed. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano later that day moved to amend Dela Rosa's motion to instead have the Articles of Impeachment returned to the House of Representatives without dismissing or terminating the case. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Vice President was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Duterte, meanwhile, entered a "not guilty" plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her, which she called merely a "scrap of paper." — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
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Senate may proceed with VP Sara impeach trial despite SC ruling — expert
Constitutional law expert Atty. Domingo "Egon" Cayosa said Saturday the Senate may opt to proceed with the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte even though the Supreme Court ruled that the Articles of Impeachment against her violated the Constitution. Cayosa, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), said the legislative may assert its "exclusive power" with regard to impeachment matters. What remains to be seen, Cayosa said, is the senators' actions and if they have the numbers to set the trial in motion. "It is now for the legislative branch of government to defer to that ruling, o kaya if they have political will and numbers, maaari nilang ituloy. Sapagkat malinaw naman sa Konstitusyon, pagdating sa impeachment, that is the sole power of the legislative branch," Cayosa said. (It is now for the legislative branch of government to defer to that ruling, or if they have the political will and numbers, they can proceed with the impeachment trial. The Constitution is clear that when it comes to impeachment, that is the sole power of the legislative branch.) Voting 13-0, the Supreme Court deemed that the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte are barred by the one-year rule. The high court also found that the articles violated the right to due process. The SC decision is immediately executory but a motion for reconsideration may be filed. Asked if the Senate and House of Representatives can opt not to comply with the SC ruling, Cayosa said: "Puwede kung igigiit nila 'yung kanilang exclusive power sa proseso ng impeachment. Of course, 'yung iba, sinasabi mag-defer na lang diyan sa Supreme Court. But malinaw ho kasi ang Constitution pagdating sa impeachment, it is for the Senate to decide, 'yan ang impeachment court." (They can do that if they assert their exclusive power with regard to the impeachment process. Of course, others suggest to defer to the Supreme Court. But the Constitution is clear that when it comes to impeachment, it is for the Senate to decide, and that is the Senate impeachment court.) "Insofar as some people think there is judicial overreach, eh maaari naman yang i-disregard ng Senado at ituloy (Insofar as some people think there is judicial overreach, the Senate can disregard the decision and proceed with the trial)," Cayosa said. The former IBP president said the Supreme Court itself recognizes that the Senate impeachment court is sui generis, meaning it operates uniquely and independently on its own. "They have all the leeway. So maaari ho nilang gawin iyon, at maiintindihan natin. (So we understand that they can proceed with that.) But that all depends if they have the political will or the numbers to proceed with the impeachment trial," Cayosa said. Following the announcement of the SC decision on Friday afternoon, senators aired contrasting views on the matter. With regard to proceeding with the trial despite the SC decision, Senator Bam Aquino said the impeachment trial should proceed as he called on fellow senators to immediately hold a caucus to discuss the decision, which he said "ignored" the Senate's constitutional duty. Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, for his part, said that he is still studying the SC decision and is seeking advice on the matter. "Being a member of the impeachment court, I would rather hear what the [House of Representatives] has to say. I was just told by a legal luminary that in this situation, we can disregard the SC decision. Let me study that advice," Sotto said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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