VICE President Sara Duterte has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the validity and constitutionality of the impeachment complaint submitted by the House of Representatives against her before the Senate.
Identified as respondents of the petition for certiorari and prohibition filed by Duterte on February 18, 2025, were House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco and Senate President Francis Escudero.
The petition seeks judicial intervention from the SC to uphold due process and raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
Duterte expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will exercise its constitutional duty to safeguard democratic principles and uphold the rule of law.
On February 5, the last day of Congress before it went on a four-month break ahead of the May 2025 midterm polls, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte, immediately submitting the seven Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
The Senate, however, adjourned its sessions without discussing the matter.
Two other petitions related to Duterte’s impeachment are currently pending before the SC — one that calls for the SC to compel the Senate to convene as an impeachment court and start a trial, and another that seeks to declare the impeachment complaint as null and void.
In a press conference on February 19, Escudero maintained that as part of Senate policy, the trial cannot be started yet primarily because the impeachment court, which involves all of the sitting senators, should be convened during a regular session.
He said the impeachment trial against Duterte may start after the 20th Congress convenes in July.
He, however, said they are ironing out the materials needed for the trial, including furniture, robes, and the procedures and systems required to ensure a smooth process.
Escudero vowed that the Senate will perform its duties related to the matter without fear or favor, unless the SC will issue a temporary restraining order preventing them from proceeding to the trial.
Among the bases of the impeachment complaints were Duterte’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez; the malversation of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President, as well as the Department of Education (DepEd), during her time as secretary from 2022 to 2024; and bribery and corruption within the DepEd. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)