House Challenges Supreme Court’s Impeachment Ruling
MANILA — The House of Representatives is set to file a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court, contesting its recent decision on the impeachment case involving Vice President Sara Duterte. The House points to factual errors and conclusions that conflict with its official records as reasons for this move.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante revealed the plan shortly after the Supreme Court unanimously declared the impeachment case unconstitutional and blocked it due to the “one-year rule.” Despite this, the Court clarified that the ruling does not clear Vice President Duterte of all charges.
While respecting the Supreme Court, Abante expressed concern over the decision. “The House of Representatives, after a thorough study, will file a Motion for Reconsideration because the decision saying that the Articles of Impeachment transmitted to the Senate is barred or unconstitutional is anchored on the factual premises or wrong findings that contradict the official records of the lower chamber,” she stated in Filipino.
Disputing Supreme Court’s Key Claims
Abante firmly refuted the Court’s assertion that the Articles of Impeachment were sent to the Senate without a plenary vote. She emphasized that at least one-third of House members signed the verified complaint, as documented in House Journal No. 36 and other official records.
She also rejected the claim that the House neglected three earlier impeachment complaints filed in December 2024. “On the same day that the February complaint was acted upon, the House voted in plenary to archive the three impeachment complaints filed in December. This was done hours before the session adjourned because the February complaint was confirmed to be signed and verified by â…“ of the members of the House,” Abante explained.
According to Abante, the Constitution mandates that such complaints, once verified and signed by the required number of members, must be sent to the Senate for trial.
Questioning the ‘One-Year Rule’ Application
Abante described the Supreme Court’s ruling that the February complaint violated the “one-year rule” as a “factual and procedural inversion.” She pointed out multiple errors, including the exclusion of a plenary vote and an incorrect interpretation of the timeline of the House’s actions.
She further criticized the Court for relying on a news article over official House records and the report submitted to the Supreme Court itself. “The basis of the decision where the legal pronouncements revolve is wrong,” she said.
The House spokesperson also highlighted that the Court introduced new procedural requirements not found in the Constitution or House rules. For instance, the Court ruled that any complaint signed by one-third of the members must be read by every signatory and voted on in plenary. Additionally, the respondent should receive a copy and have an opportunity to answer before transmission to the Senate. However, these steps are absent from existing rules.
Due Process and Vice President’s Silence
Abante reminded that Vice President Sara Duterte was invited multiple times to committee hearings to present her side but chose to remain silent. “If we are talking about due process and opportunity to be heard, VP Sara Duterte had been invited many times to Committee hearings to give her a chance to explain her side. But she remained silent,” she added.
She reaffirmed that the impeachment complaint against Duterte followed the proper process, including approval by the lower chamber and transmission to the Senate in accordance with the Constitution.
As the House prepares to file its appeal, Abante expressed hope that correcting the facts will lead the Court to a fairer decision.
The impeachment complaint was filed and transmitted to the Senate on February 5. After months of delay, the Senate voted 18-5 to return the articles of impeachment to the House for further action.
For more news and updates on impeachment case, visit Filipinokami.com.
