By a vote of 19-4-1, the Senate has decided to move the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to its archives. The vote took place on August 6, following deliberations on the fate of the impeachment trial.
The motion, filed by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta, sought to archive—rather than dismiss—the complaint against the Vice President.
Under Senate rules, archiving effectively renders the impeachment process “dead” for now, but it may be revived if a new impeachment complaint is filed against Duterte or if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the House of Representatives’ motion for reconsideration.
The Supreme Court earlier declared the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President “unconstitutional.” The House has since filed a motion for reconsideration to overturn the ruling.
Nineteen senators voted in favor of Marcoleta’s motion: Marcoleta himself, Senate President Chiz Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Alan and Pia Cayetano, Mark and Camille Villar, Erwin and Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, Migz Zubiri, Loren Legarda, JV Ejercito, Lito Lapid, and Win Gatchalian.
Four senators voted against: Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.
Senator Ping Lacson abstained, saying he preferred to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the House’s motion for reconsideration.
Earlier, Sotto proposed to “lay on the table” the impeachment complaint—keeping it open for debate—a proposal backed by Aquino, Pangilinan, Hontiveros, and Lacson. However, the majority rejected the idea.
Sotto said the decision effectively marks the end of the impeachment in the Senate, citing his experience as a lawmaker.
“I always prayed I was wrong—unfortunately, I was always right. May God have mercy on your decision,” Sotto remarked after casting his vote.