Support for Archiving Impeachment Complaint Highlights Selective Respect
MANILA, Philippines — Support for the archiving of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte exposes how some individuals respect Supreme Court rulings only when it fits their political agenda, according to Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Adiong criticized those who insist on following the Supreme Court’s decision on the impeachment but previously questioned the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction in the Philippines. This contradiction, he said, reveals selective respect for legal institutions.
Senate Votes to Archive Impeachment Following Supreme Court Ruling
The Senate voted 19–4 to archive the impeachment complaint after the Supreme Court declared the complaint against Vice President Duterte unconstitutional. Adiong emphasized that some senators only respect the Supreme Court when it suits their purpose.
“I just want to highlight also the disobedience that they (senators) are talking about—the alleged disrespect to the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives. I just want to say, when it is convenient for them, only then do they respect the Supreme Court,” Adiong said.
He also pointed out that the Supreme Court had affirmed the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over cases filed when the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute, yet critics disregarded this ruling.
Selective Respect Raises Questions on Legal Consistency
Adiong noted that those now urging the House of Representatives to honor the Supreme Court’s order simultaneously ignore that the high court has yet to issue a final ruling on the House’s motion for reconsideration.
“But now, they are respecting the Supreme Court to a point of archiving the impeachment complaint, despite the fact that the Supreme Court has yet to make its decision with finality,” he said.
He challenged the meaning of respect, asking, “Is it only given when it is convenient for you? When is it politically expedient for you? Let’s call spades a spade. We respect the Supreme Court and, most importantly, our Constitution is our compass, is our guiding light.”
Filing Motion for Reconsideration Upholds Rule of Law
Adiong stressed that submitting a motion for reconsideration should not be viewed as defiance but rather as compliance with constitutional remedies.
“That’s why we maintain our position that what is provided under the Constitution, in order for one party to exhaust legal remedies, we did that by virtue of filing for an MR. And that is not disobedience, that is fidelity to the rule of law and fidelity to the constitution as our guiding light,” he explained.
Background: Impeachment Complaint and ICC Jurisdiction Dispute
Adiong refrained from naming specific individuals but referred to those who argue the ICC lost jurisdiction after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2018. This treaty established the ICC, which had filed cases against former President Rodrigo Duterte, father of Vice President Duterte, for alleged crimes against humanity.
Despite the withdrawal, the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the Philippines remains bound by obligations incurred before its exit. Meanwhile, former President Duterte was taken into ICC custody in March 2025 following an Interpol order.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a vocal critic of the ICC’s jurisdiction, has repeatedly stated that the tribunal no longer has authority over the Philippines after the withdrawal.
Impeachment Process and Supreme Court Review
Vice President Duterte was impeached on February 5, 2025, after 215 lawmakers filed a complaint citing alleged misuse of confidential funds and constitutional violations. The complaint was transmitted to the Senate, triggering impeachment trial procedures as mandated by the Constitution.
However, two petitions sought to halt the impeachment, arguing procedural violations and the one-impeachment-per-year constitutional limit. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled the complaint unconstitutional for breaching the one-year bar rule, prompting the Senate to deliberate whether to continue with impeachment proceedings.
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