House Upholds Checks and Balances Despite SC Ruling
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives vows to uphold the principle of checks and balances after the Supreme Court (SC) declared Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment unconstitutional. House spokesperson Princess Abante emphasized that while they respect the court’s decision, the order threatens the essential democratic process.
“We respect the Supreme Court. But our constitutional duty to uphold truth and accountability does not end here,” Abante said. She stressed that the initiation of impeachment is an exclusive power of the House and that judicial interference in this process endangers the separation of powers.
Impeachment as a Vital Democratic Safeguard
Abante highlighted that impeachment is not merely a legal procedure but a crucial political act grounded in the people’s will. She cited Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution and previous rulings affirming that only the House can initiate impeachment. “Allowing judicial interference risks undermining the very principle of checks and balances,” she added.
The House plans to carefully review the SC decision upon receiving the official copy and will pursue all possible remedies to maintain Congress’s independence and fulfill its constitutional role. “This is not defiance. This is constitutional fidelity. We owe it to the people to be relentless in our duty—because accountability should never be optional, no matter how high the office,” Abante affirmed.
Background of the Impeachment Case
On February 5, 215 lawmakers filed and signed a fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte. The complaint accused her of misusing confidential funds, threatening officials, and other constitutional violations. Following constitutional provisions, the articles were immediately sent to the Senate to begin trial, as the complaint secured the required one-third support in the House.
However, two petitions seeking to halt the impeachment were filed with the SC. One petition, from Mindanao-based lawyers, argued that the House failed to act within the 10 session days required by the Constitution. Duterte’s legal team, including her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, also filed a petition claiming the impeachment violated the one-complaint-per-year rule.
House’s Defense on Procedural Grounds
The House responded by clarifying the timeline, distinguishing “session days” from calendar or working days. They showed that the first complaint was submitted on December 2, the 26th session day of the 19th Congress’s third regular session, and forwarded to the House Speaker on February 5, the 36th session day—exactly 10 session days later.
SC spokesperson Camille Ting announced the court’s ruling that the impeachment complaint is barred by the one-year rule. “Therefore, the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment complaint,” Ting said. Yet, she made clear this does not absolve the Vice President of potential accountability. Another complaint can be filed against her starting February 6, 2026.
For more news and updates on checks and balances, visit Filipinokami.com.
