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The Philippine Star
February 2, 2026 | 12:00am
Supreme Court: VP Sara impeachment ruling 'immediately executory' In a Facebook post on Aug. 5, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte shared photos of her administering the oath of office to newly elected officials of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.
Vice President Sara Duterte via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — With the lapse of the Supreme Court’s one-year bar rule on filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Feb. 6, the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives is gearing up to file another case against her.
“The Makabayan bloc is now prepared to refile the impeachment complaint against VP Duterte because it is necessary and in the interest of the Filipino people. The VP must be held accountable for her actions and omissions that have violated the public trust,” Makabayan Reps.
Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Renee Louise Co (Kabataan) and Sarah Elago (Gabriela) said in a joint statement.
“The confidential funds scandal, the misuse of public resources, and the pattern of abuse of authority cannot be swept under the rug simply because of procedural technicalities,” they added.
Members of the House minority bloc headed by 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan firmly believes the country’s second highest official must still explain where the P612.5 million in confidential funds from both the Office of the Vice President and the education department went.
“We believe that the issues raised in the impeachment complaint against Duterte – including her alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes – remain valid and must be addressed through the proper constitutional process,” they said.
Upon an overwhelming vote of 215 congressmen, Duterte was impeached by the House in February 2025. Although the Articles of Impeachment were immediately sent to the Senate for trial, senators, a number of whom were allies and friends of the Vice President, opted to “archive” the complaint.
This was questioned by the House leadership who elevated the case to the SC, which later unanimously ruled in favor of Duterte by making the impeachment complaint unconstitutional.
For his part, House public accounts panel chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said they are prepared to proceed under the Constitution and House rules while complying with the SC clarified notice requirements on the so-called express route of impeachment filing.
“We respect the decision of the SC on this. But we also have to clarify that come Feb. 6, the House is also ready to receive and hear all the new complaints that will be filed against VP Duterte,” he said in a regular forum over the weekend.
