The Supreme Court (SC) has directed Vice President Sara Duterte and several legal counsels to respond to the appeal lodged by the House of Representatives seeking a reversal of the Court’s earlier ruling that dismissed the impeachment complaints against her.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SC confirmed that Duterte, along with her lawyer, Israelito Torreon, and others, must submit their comments within a strict, non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the notice.
The development stems from a 61-page motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives on Monday. The legislative chamber argued that the Supreme Court’s initial ruling undermines the constitutional mandate granted to Congress to carry out the impeachment process.
According to the House, it is solely responsible for initiating and prosecuting impeachment cases, while the Senate serves as the body to try and decide such cases. The lawmakers maintained that the High Court’s decision infringes upon this separation of powers, particularly their exclusive jurisdiction over impeachment matters.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the Articles of Impeachment filed against Vice President Duterte violated Article XI, Section 3(5) of the 1987 Constitution. This provision prohibits the filing of more than one impeachment complaint against the same official within one year.
Additionally, the SC found that the process leading to the drafting of the Articles of Impeachment violated Duterte’s constitutional right to due process. The Court emphasized that the accused was not given a fair opportunity to respond before the complaint advanced through key stages of the impeachment process.
Due to these violations, the SC concluded that the Senate never obtained jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings, effectively nullifying any further action.
Legal analysts say the response from Duterte and her legal team will be critical in determining whether the Supreme Court stands by its previous ruling or reopens the door for a possible impeachment trial in the Senate.
The case continues to stir political debate, with some lawmakers warning that the SC’s interference sets a dangerous precedent. In contrast, others argue that due process must always prevail—even in politically charged proceedings.
Observers now await how Vice President Duterte and the implicated lawyers will defend their positions in response to the House’s appeal, with the 10-day countdown already underway.