Senator Cayetano Emphasizes Jurisdiction in Impeachment Trial
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed that the impeachment court should first settle the question of jurisdiction before reviewing any evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte. The issue of jurisdiction, he said, must be addressed early in the process.
During an interview, Cayetano responded to concerns that the impeachment case might be dismissed without examining the evidence. “Some legal experts confused the public by saying that evidence should come first. But what should always come first is jurisdiction,” he explained.
He referred to the motion filed by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on June 10, which sought to dismiss the impeachment case. Cayetano later modified this motion to propose returning the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives without dismissing or ending the case.
Understanding the Jurisdictional Debate
Dela Rosa, an ally of Duterte, argued that the House violated the one-year ban on filing multiple impeachment complaints by not acting on the first three complaints filed in December 2024. Only the fourth complaint, supported by 215 House members, was transmitted to the Senate for trial on February 5.
“It was said it was unconstitutional since more than one impeachment was filed in a year,” Cayetano said, summarizing Dela Rosa’s position. He added, “In any court, before presenting evidence, you must first determine if the court has jurisdiction.”
Cayetano assured the public that evidence will be examined only if the impeachment court agrees that there are no constitutional issues removing its jurisdiction. “That’s the logical way. Again, that’s what we should do,” he stated.
Possible Outcomes and Legal Remedies
When asked if jurisdiction must be resolved first, Cayetano confirmed, “That’s the logical way. Again, that’s what we should do.”
He also urged the public not to panic. “First, there’s the Supreme Court. Second, what’s the worst case?” he asked. “The worst case is that they can file another impeachment after the one-year period. Evidence can still be released in the committee on justice.”
However, Cayetano noted the matter might not reach that stage if the majority of the 24 senator-judges affirm the court’s jurisdiction over the impeachment case.
The key problem arises if the majority sides with Duterte’s camp, which claims the House breached the Constitution. Should that occur, the case might end up before the Supreme Court.
“I’m not predicting what will happen or sharing my stand. I’m just laying out the possibilities. That’s the reality,” Cayetano explained.
Duterte’s Position on the Case
Vice President Sara Duterte herself has requested the impeachment court to dismiss the case, claiming it is “void ab initio”—invalid from the start due to the alleged violation of the one-year filing ban.
For more news and updates on impeachment court jurisdiction, visit Filipinokami.com.