Senate Archives Impeachment Case Against Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has voted to archive the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, following a recent Supreme Court decision. After hours of discussion, 19 senators supported the motion, led by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, to end the proceedings. Four senators opposed, while one abstained.
The exact four-word keyphrase “impeachment case against Sara Duterte” was central in the debates and decision-making. Sen. Panfilo Lacson chose to abstain, stating he preferred to wait for the High Court’s final ruling before taking a stand.
Motion to Archive Amid Supreme Court Ruling
Villanueva amended an earlier proposal from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to dismiss the case outright. He cited the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the impeachment complaint unconstitutional and void from the start. Villanueva said, “Adhering to the immediately executory decision rendered by the Supreme Court en banc on 25th July, 2025… I move to transfer the Articles of Impeachment in relation to case 0022011… to the archives.”
Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III opposed the motion and requested a nominal vote. Despite objections, the Senate proceeded with the vote, rejecting motions to delay and eventually approving the archival motion.
Legal and Procedural Implications
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero explained that if the Supreme Court ever reverses its decision, the Senate can revisit the case and take appropriate action. He emphasized, “If the Supreme Court reverses itself… then we will entertain a motion to bring it out of the archives.”
Sotto argued that the Senate had already convened as an impeachment court, which should indicate jurisdiction over the case. “They even wore a robe. That robe shouldn’t be just for movies or TV shows. You convened. So the Supreme Court can’t say that it never acquired jurisdiction,” he stated in Filipino.
Escudero responded that legally, the Senate’s convening does not negate the Court’s ruling on jurisdiction. He added that archiving the case preserves the factual record as part of Senate history.
Background on the Impeachment Complaints
The Supreme Court had ruled unanimously on July 25 that the impeachment complaint violated the one-year filing rule under the 1987 Constitution. This rule states that no impeachment proceeding may be initiated against the same official more than once within a year.
Four separate complaints were filed against Sara Duterte in the House of Representatives. The first three complaints were considered dismissed when the fourth complaint was approved and sent to the Senate for trial. The Senate only convened as an impeachment court two days before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die.
The impeachment court was scheduled to resume on August 4 but did not proceed after senators agreed to decide the matter in plenary following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
For more news and updates on impeachment case against Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.
