Senator Robin Padilla asserted on Monday, September 7, that Vice President Sara Duterte should receive the same legal immunity from suit granted to a sitting President.
He pointed to their shared status as impeachable officials and their constitutional roles in government.
Padilla brought up the matter during Duterte’s ongoing Senate impeachment trial, questioning whether it is proper to pursue criminal proceedings against a sitting Vice President while she remains in office.
“If ang ganitong prinsipyo ay naaangkop sa pangulo, dapat din itong ilapat sa bise-presidente,” Padilla said.
The senator emphasized that both executive leaders are explicitly listed among the officials subject to impeachment under the 1987 Constitution.
He further cited the Vice President’s constitutional obligations and position as first in the presidential line of succession as grounds to extend the rationale of presidential immunity.
To support his argument, Padilla cited key jurisprudence, including Estrada v. Desierto and David v. Macapagal-Arroyo, which outline legal protections meant to shield impeachable officers from disruptive lawsuits that could impede their public duties.
He also cited Duterte v. House of Representatives, noting that the Supreme Court recognized safeguards for impeachable officials against malicious or bothersome litigation.
The senator’s statements follow recent criminal proceedings involving grave threats complaints against Duterte. A warrant for her arrest was issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) after an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), after which the Vice President posted bail.
Padilla maintained that constitutional boundaries regarding immunity must be clearly established, stressing that impeachment remains the proper avenue for holding high-ranking officials accountable.
“May dahilan kung bakit may impeachment. Hindi natin puwedeng lampasan ang prosesong ito dahil lamang mas madali o mas convenient ang ibang paraan,” he said.