Vice President Sara Duterte secured a legal victory on Friday, July 26, 2025, as the Supreme Court of the Philippines unanimously ruled that the impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives was unconstitutional.
In a press briefing, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting explained, “The SC has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus VP Sara Duterte is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies in all stages of the impeachment process.”
The decision stemmed from a consolidated petition filed by Duterte, her legal counsel, Atty Israelito Torreon, and others, challenging the validity of the articles of impeachment submitted earlier this year. While the Court invalidated the complaint, it clarified that the ruling does not equate to an acquittal from the allegations raised against the Vice President.
The impeachment articles, endorsed in February 2025 by over 200 lawmakers, were based on allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and even threats directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. These accusations arose amid an intensifying political rift between Duterte and the Marcos administration.
Three previous complaints filed in December 2024 were archived, making the February complaint the fourth. According to the Supreme Court, the one-year impeachment bar—meant to prevent harassment of public officials through repetitive filings—was violated when the latest complaint proceeded despite the earlier submissions.
“The articles of impeachment, which were the fourth complaint, violated the one-year period ban because there were three complaints that came ahead of it,” Ting stated.
The ruling has significant implications. Had Duterte been convicted by the Senate impeachment tribunal, she would have faced a lifetime ban from holding public office. The verdict thus preserves her eligibility, bolstering speculation that she may run for the presidency in 2028.
Duterte’s legal team welcomed the Court’s decision, stating, “This unanimous decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process.”
President Marcos has distanced himself from the proceedings, saying the executive branch would not interfere. His office and Senate officials acknowledged the Supreme Court’s authority and pledged to respect its ruling.
The Court noted that a new impeachment complaint may be filed once the one-year bar period has lapsed. Duterte’s camp responded, “We remain prepared to address the allegations at the proper time and before the appropriate forum.”