House Upholds Impeachment Process Against Vice President Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives firmly states that its handling of the first three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte followed the law and established jurisprudence, emphasizing that no “senseless haste” was involved. The House stressed that their approach aligns with legal standards and Supreme Court guidance.
In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court responding to dismissal petitions, which were publicly released Tuesday, the House addressed concerns about whether Secretary General Reginald Velasco had the authority to decide when to forward verified impeachment complaints. The House clarified that it never mandated the Secretary General to transmit complaints on the same day they were filed, either in the current 19th Congress or prior sessions.
Moreover, combining complaints filed on separate dates for simultaneous transmission—such as with the three complaints against Duterte—is consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gutierrez versus House of Representatives Committee on Justice. The House explained, “The Secretary General may simultaneously transmit to the Speaker, for inclusion in the Order of Business, impeachment complaints filed on separate dates. Upon receipt, the Speaker may also simultaneously include them in the Order of Business.”
This approach reflects the court’s wisdom, which cautions against rushing impeachment proceedings without due consideration.
Details of the Impeachment Complaints
The three complaints against Duterte were filed in December 2024: the first on December 2 by civil society groups and endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña; the second on December 4 by progressive groups backed by the Makabayan bloc; and the third on December 19 by religious groups and lawyers, endorsed by former Naga City Rep. Gabriel Bordado and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Lex Anthony Colada.
All three complaints were archived after a fourth complaint, signed by 215 lawmakers, was filed on February 5, effectively impeaching Duterte. According to the 1987 Constitution, a complaint signed by at least one-third of all House members constitutes formal articles of impeachment. The articles were promptly sent to the Senate the same day, triggering the start of the trial.
Clarifying Session Days Versus Calendar Days
Following impeachment, Mindanao-based lawyers filed a petition to halt the proceedings, arguing the House failed to act within the Constitution’s required 10 session days. However, the House clarified in its Supreme Court submission that “session days” differ from “calendar days” or “working days.” Sessions can span multiple calendar days if only suspended, not adjourned.
The House presented a detailed table showing session dates. The first complaint was submitted on December 2, 2024, which was the 26th session day of the 19th Congress’ Third Regular Session. The complaints were forwarded to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on February 5, the 36th session day—exactly 10 session days later.
The House emphasized, “The 1987 Constitution is clear in requiring inclusion of impeachment complaints within ten session days, not calendar days. Because Congress meets only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, it’s normal for the process to exceed ten calendar days while still complying with session day rules.”
The session schedule showed multiple session days covering multiple calendar days, including breaks for Christmas and election season, reinforcing that the House complied fully with constitutional deadlines.
House Session Day Breakdown
- 26th Session Day: December 2, 2024
- 27th Session Day: December 3-4, 2024
- 28th Session Day: December 9-11, 2024
- 29th Session Day: December 16-18, 2024
- 30th Session Day: January 13, 2025
- 31st Session Day: January 14-15, 2025
- 32nd Session Day: January 20, 2025
- 33rd Session Day: January 21, 2025
- 34th Session Day: January 22, 2025
- 35th Session Day: January 27-28, 2025
- 36th Session Day: February 3-5, 2025
Local leaders noted that the House carefully followed legal procedures and respected constitutional provisions throughout the impeachment process.
For more news and updates on impeachment proceedings, visit Filipinokami.com.
