Sara Duterte’s lawyers: SC decision curbs abuse of impeachment process

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'This unanimous decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process,' says Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to bar impeachment proceedings for one year, citing due process.

“The decision of the Honorable Court affirms what we had maintained from the outset — that the 4th impeachment complaint is constitutionally infirm,” the lawyers said in a statement on Friday, July 25.

“This unanimous Decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process,” they added.

The Supreme Court on Friday released its decision on petitions seeking to dismiss the impeachment complaints against the Vice President, citing a violation of the Constitution’s one-year bar on successive filings.

Three impeachment cases were filed against Duterte in December 2024, but the House did not act on them. On February 5, a fourth complaint — fast-tracked through a resolution — led to her impeachment.

The Vice President herself raised the issue before the Supreme Court, arguing that the House violated the Constitution’s one-year bar rule because House Secretary General Reginald Velasco failed to “immediately” refer the verified impeachment complaints to the Speaker, as required by House rules.

Duterte’s defense team said that they remain “prepared to address the allegations at the proper time and before the appropriate forum.”

The Vice President declined to answer questions about her alleged misuse of confidential funds, which is central to her impeachment case, saying that she prefers to defend herself during the trial.

– Rappler.com