Lawmakers in the House of Representatives clarified that the recent Supreme Court (SC) En Banc ruling on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte did not address, much less resolve, the substance of the allegations filed against her.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said the High Court ruling focused solely on procedural and technical issues in the 19th Congress impeachment process.
“Alam po ninyo naging decision po ng SC, hindi nila din dine-sisyunan ang substansya ng impeachment complaint. Ang pinag-usapan dito ang sheer technicality,” said Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
“So pagdating sa substansya wala naman silang may mention dito kaya maganda rin at very interesting din dahil hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin na-resolve ang laman ng impeachment complaint,” he added.
Chua stressed that it is inaccurate to claim that the allegations against Duterte were already ruled upon, as the SC did not touch on the merits of the case.
He also noted that impeachment complaints often gain traction as evidence is presented and deliberations progress, adding that no Senate impeachment trial was ever conducted.
“Alam po ninyo marami namang pagkakataon na kung makikita po ninyo ang impeachment complaint ay na-file noong una walang suporta, pero noong ito ay nailatag, noong ito ay nakita na ang substance, nagkakaroon ng suporta,” he said.
Ridon echoed the same view, saying the SC ruling merely addressed questions on whether the impeachment complaint was procedurally barred.
“Ang pinag-debatehan lang sa Kongreso kung barred ba ‘yung trinansmit to the Senate,” Ridon said.
He emphasized that the High Court’s decision dealt with technicalities, not the accusations themselves, and reiterated that Congress remains the proper venue to assess the substance of impeachment complaints.
“So, I think even as filed, we just have to look at how the process will be this time,” Ridon said.
Both lawmakers agreed that the outcome of impeachment proceedings ultimately depends on the evidence presented and the collective judgment of Congress.
“So tama ang sinasabi ni Cong. Terry Ridon, ito ay magiging base sa konsyensya,” Chua said.
There are seven articles of impeachment filed against Vice President Duterte in the 19th Congress, including allegations of conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., misuse of confidential funds, corruption in the Department of Education, unexplained wealth, involvement in extrajudicial killings, destabilization efforts, and the totality of her conduct as Vice President.
Some or all of these are expected to resurface in fresh impeachment complaints set to be filed next week.