The Philippine Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte violated constitutional procedure, effectively halting her upcoming Senate trial. The court emphasized that the House of Representatives breached a rule allowing only one impeachment case per impeachable official each year.
Although four separate complaints were filed between December and February, only one was transmitted to the Senate. The others were archived and not acted upon. As a result, the impeachment process was deemed invalid. The decision is immediately enforceable, ensuring no trial will proceed unless a new case is filed next year.
Court Upholds Constitution Over Politics Amid Historic Impeachment of Vice President Duterte
The ruling made it clear that the court’s role is not to weigh in on political outcomes but to uphold the Constitution. A court spokesperson reaffirmed that their judgment did not reflect the veracity or gravity of the charges, but rather addressed the legal framework within which the impeachment was carried out.
Vice President Duterte’s legal team welcomed the ruling, stating their readiness to confront the allegations in a proper forum at the appropriate time. The case highlights the tension between law and politics in the Philippines’ volatile political climate.
Sara Duterte became the first vice president in Philippine history to be impeached by the House. The complaints stemmed from serious allegations, including her public threat to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his relatives during a live news conference. Other charges included corruption, terrorism, sedition, and her failure to support government actions against China in the South China Sea.
Duterte also faced criticism for backing her father Rodrigo Duterte’s, deadly anti-drug campaigns, which resulted in widespread extrajudicial killings. The Senate had prepared to begin her trial before the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Political Alliance Unravels as Duterte Faces Accusations, Threats, and Impeachment Setbacks
The impeachment reflects the rapid collapse of the Duterte-Marcos alliance that led them to victory in 2022. Although they campaigned on unity, political infighting soon erupted. Sara Duterte resigned from her Cabinet role and publicly accused the president, his wife, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of corruption and suppressing her political ambitions.
Tensions intensified after Duterte made the assassination remark during a November 23 press conference, which she later claimed was not a literal threat but an expression of concern for her safety. The comments nonetheless triggered a criminal investigation and impeachment proceedings.
The impeachment complaints, supported by prominent figures like the president’s son and Romualdez, accused Duterte of betraying public trust and abusing power. Although the Senate initially planned to proceed with the trial, legal questions prompted a return of the case to the House. Protests erupted as Duterte’s critics demanded accountability.
Then-Senate President Chiz Escudero clarified that the complaint had not been dismissed outright and issued a summons for Duterte’s appearance if the trial moves forward. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling now means any new impeachment attempt must wait at least one year, prolonging political uncertainty.
