SC upholds ruling on VP’s ouster bid
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday affirmed with finality its decision to block the impeachment of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, rejecting a motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.
“By a unanimous vote of all those participating [justices], the Supreme Court en banc denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, which sought to reverse the Court’s July 25, 2025 Decision that declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte unconstitutional,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting told a media briefing.
The Court held that the fourth impeachment complaint, transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 5, 2025, violated the constitutional one-year bar rule, which prohibits initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official more than once within a 12-month period under Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution.
The SC clarified that the first three complaints were not included in the House Order of Business within the required 10 session days, which should be understood as calendar days when the House holds session.
The ruling also clarified the distinction between the two modes of initiating impeachment. The first mode involves a regular deliberative process via the Committee on Justice, while the second mode allows a complaint signed by at least one-third of all House members to “immediately initiate” proceedings.
The Court emphasized that the due process clause embodies a fundamental commitment to “reasonableness, fairness, and non-arbitrariness.”
It noted that even under the streamlined second mode, all endorsing members should have been given copies of the complaint and supporting evidence to ensure the process remains a “class of its own” (sui generis) rather than an arbitrary act.
The resolution is immediately executory, and no further pleadings will be allowed, the SC said in its resolution.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa took no part in the proceedings, while Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh was on leave, said Ms. Ting.
This finality signals that any new attempts to impeach the Vice-President may only proceed after the one-year ban officially expires on Feb. 6.
“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision on the prior impeachment proceedings involving Vice-President Sara Duterte,” Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said in a statement.
“However, once the one-year bar lapses on 6 February, the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress will be prepared to receive and act on any new impeachment complaints filed against the Vice-President,” Mr. Ridon added.
Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua, chairperson of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said the House of Representatives may revise its rules on impeachment to align with the SC decision.
Mr. Chua, a member of the House prosecution team and the House Committee on Justice, said he would confer with colleagues on how best to amend the rules in a manner they deem appropriate and compliant with the ruling, noting that inputs may be sought from the complainants, some of whom are now members of the House.
“While I do not agree with the Supreme Court decision, we will abide by it because as a lawyer, I am an officer of the court and swore to respect and uphold our system anchored on the rule of law,” Mr. Chua said adding that his remarks reflect his personal view as a lawmaker. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
