Statement of House of Representatives on “Unconstitutional” SC Ruling over Duterte’s Articles of Impeachment
The House of Representatives remains determined to push through with its mandate despite the ruling of the Supreme Court over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment articles.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is “unconstitutional”. The decision of the high court was in response to the petition filed by Duterte, Atty. Israelito Torreon, and many others seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint.
The spokesperson of the Office of Vice President, Atty. Ruth Castelo, previously claimed that Duterte is ready in case the trial pushes through. The OVP spokesperson also claimed that the PH government will allegedly be able to save millions of money if the Supreme Court would dismiss the impeachment complaint against Duterte. Meanwhile, she also assured that the Vice President is eager to present her evidence in the trial.
According to the Supreme Court, the impeachment complaint against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is barred by the one-year ban rule. The complaint that was transmitted to the Senate was the fourth impeachment complaint filed against the Vice President in 2024.
The Senate impeachment court returned the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. The upper chamber got questions over the constitutionality of the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.
Recently, following the decision of the Supreme Court on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the House of Representatives issued a statement. Based on a report on GMA News, House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante claimed they have yet to receive an official copy of the high court’s decision but assured that they respect the court and will exhibit the same manner in reviewing the copy.
“We respect the Supreme Court. But our constitutional duty to uphold truth and accountability does not end here,” the House spox said.
Atty. Princess Abante also cited the Article 11, Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution saying that the House of Representatives has the “exclusive power to initiate impeachment”. Based on the report, she stressed that no technicality can allegedly silence the impeachment which is “a political act rooted in the people’s will”.
According to the spokesperson of the House, allowing the interference of the judicial branch in the said process allegedly posts risks on the principle of checks and balances. Based on the report, Abante stressed that the fight is for the right of the people.
“This is not about one person. Ito ay laban para sa karapatan ng taumbayan na maningil ng pananagutan sa gobyerno,” she said.
The camp of the Vice President welcomed the decision of the Court. Malacañang also recently issued a statement following the Supreme Court’s decision on Duterte’s impeachment articles.