A fresh impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte could be lodged as early as next month even if the Supreme Court (SC) has yet to resolve the House of Representatives’ appeal on its ruling that voided the 2025 impeachment case, a House leader said Wednesday.
House public accounts panel chairperson and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a lawyer, said the one-year ban on filing impeachment complaints lapses on February 6, opening the door for new charges regardless of the pending motion for reconsideration before the High Court.
“The basis for the impeachment last year has not changed actually for 2026. If House members or civil society would want to file it again as soon as the one-year ban is finished, they are free to do so,” Ridon told reporters.
He stressed that the filing of another complaint is not contingent on the SC’s action but acknowledged that the unresolved appeal complicates the House’s next steps.
“Hindi po natin kontrolado ang Korte Suprema,” he said.
The SC in July 2025 struck down the impeachment case against Duterte, ruling it unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule and for depriving her of due process. The House later filed an appeal seeking reconsideration.
Ridon said it would be “more ideal” if the SC rules on the appeal before February 6.
“If it is favorable to the House, it basically would mean we don’t need another impeachment complaint against the Vice President at this point. It means the Senate will have to proceed to trial,” he explained. (RRN)
