SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday expressed his personal opinion that the Senate should follow the Supreme Court’s decision declaring the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. He emphasized that while the Senate will decide as a collective body, he sees no reason for the upper chamber to defy the high court’s ruling.

“Personally, my position as a lawyer is this: The Supreme Court has decided, whether you agree with it or not, it should be followed. Otherwise, we will have a constitutional crisis and other countries and people might see us as a banana republic where we only follow what we want,” Escudero told a press conference.

He further clarified, “This will be decided by us, but I personally see no reason or cause for us not to follow and obey it. The Supreme Court’s decision is clear—the impeachment complaint is null and void ab initio, meaning from the beginning.”

The Supreme Court, in a 13-0 vote on July 25, declared the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte unconstitutional.

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The high court cited a violation of the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which limits the filing of impeachment complaints. It also found that the articles violated Duterte’s right to due process. The Supreme Court stressed that it was not absolving Duterte of any charges, but any subsequent impeachment complaint against her may only be filed starting February 6, 2026.

According to Escudero, the Senate should resolve the issue without convening the impeachment court, given the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Senate now lacks the authority to hear the articles of impeachment. “I think it’s safer for the Senate to decide on this rather than the impeachment court, because convening the impeachment court after the Supreme Court’s decision might be seen as a violation,” he added.

Escudero was recently reelected as Senate President during the opening session of the 20th Congress on Monday.

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