The House of Representatives on Saturday urged the Senate to hold off on voting whether to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the Articles of Impeachment unconstitutional is not yet final.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante announced that the chamber will file a Motion for Reconsideration, asserting its constitutional prerogative to initiate impeachment and warning that any premature Senate action could undermine the integrity of the process.
“We call on our dear Senators to exercise prudence and patience, and to allow the judicial process to reach its rightful conclusion,” Abante said.
“The House remains committed to the rule of law and will exhaust all legal remedies to protect its constitutional mandate—and to ensure that accountability is not casually brushed aside.”
The Supreme Court, in a 13-0-2 vote last week, ruled that the impeachment complaint violated the Constitution’s one-year bar rule and due process provisions, effectively barring the Senate from acquiring jurisdiction over the case. However, the Court clarified that Duterte is not absolved of the charges and that a new complaint may be filed starting February 6, 2026.
Abante emphasized that the ruling was based on factual inaccuracies, including the claim that the complaint was transmitted to the Senate without a plenary vote—an assertion she said contradicts official House records.
“Let us be clear: the decision of the Supreme Court is not yet final. This is a matter of constitutional right and institutional integrity,” she said.
“Sheer prudence dictates that the Senate allow the Supreme Court to hear the House in its Motion for Reconsideration.”
The House warned that a Senate vote to abandon the trial could be seen as a disregard of due process and a political shortcut that erodes the constitutional role of the lower chamber.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier confirmed that the Senate will deliberate on the SC ruling on Wednesday, August 6, amid reports that 19 to 20 senators are inclined to abide by the decision.
“Any premature action—such as a Senate vote effectively abandoning the impeachment trial—may be interpreted as a disregard of due process. Worse, it may be construed as a political shortcut,” Abante warned.
The House reiterated its commitment to preserving the integrity of the impeachment process and the system of checks and balances.
“This is about protecting our democratic institutions and upholding the system of checks and balances embedded in our Constitution,” Abante concluded. (JCNE)
