Several senators have expressed strong opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent decision declaring the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. The ruling, which effectively halts the process initiated by the House of Representatives, has drawn backlash from opposition lawmakers who fear the move could undermine government accountability.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros voiced deep disappointment over the ruling, emphasizing that no public official, including the Vice President, should be beyond scrutiny. “All officials of the land have to answer to every Filipino,” Hontiveros said, stressing that the right of the people to hold high-ranking officials accountable must remain intact. She warned that the Court’s decision could set a dangerous precedent, weakening future efforts to uphold transparency and accountability in government.
Echoing her concern, fellow opposition lawmaker Senator Bam Aquino called for an urgent Senate caucus to assess the implications of the ruling. “We must discuss this decision that undermines our constitutional duty,” Aquino stated in Filipino, signaling a possible move by senators to push back against the Supreme Court’s interpretation.
Some senators, however, took a more measured stance. Senator Tito Sotto said he would like to hear the House of Representatives’ perspective before making any final judgment. “I was told by a legal expert that in this situation, we can disregard the SC decision. I need time to study that advice,” Sotto added.
Senator Joel Villanueva, an ally of Senate President Francis Escudero, maintained that the Senate must uphold due process. He defended the chamber’s earlier move to ask the House for clarification on the articles of impeachment, a step widely seen as an effort to slow the proceedings. “As an impeachment court, we remain committed to following the Constitution and will continue to do so,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing respect for the judiciary. “As a coequal branch of government, we must abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. Even in political processes, we must ensure our actions are fair and lawful,” Estrada remarked.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has stirred debate on the limits of legislative power and the independence of the judiciary, leaving open the question of how future impeachment efforts will proceed under this new precedent.