House to assert independence in impeachment process
Credit to Author: Janvic Mateo| Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives yesterday maintained that it had complied with the Constitution and its internal rules when it initiated the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“While we respect the decision of the Supreme Court (SC), the House maintains that it has done its part in the impeachment proceedings, particularly in the initiation of the impeachment process,” House spokesperson Princess Abante said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News.
“We believe that we have performed our duties according to the Constitution. But just the same, we will be waiting for the full decision and we will exhaust all means legally to assert the independence of the House of Representatives in this process,” she added.
The SC yesterday confirmed its decision declaring the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President as unconstitutional.
The articles based on the fourth complaint, the justices said, violated the one-year ban on impeachment proceedings against an impeachable official.
Although they are still waiting for a full copy of the decision, Abante maintained that the House only initiated the process on the fourth complaint as the first three were archived.
“That was the Articles of Impeachment that were transmitted to the Senate,” she said.
Abante said they will discuss with the solicitor general their next legal steps once they have a full copy of the decision.
Asked if another impeachment process will be initiated against Duterte once the ban expires, Abante said it will be up to the members of the 20th Congress, which will officially convene on Monday.
Shocking, puzzling and confusing – this was how Kiko Aquino-Dee, one of those who filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte, described the SC decision.
“I’m disappointed, but at the same time, no matter what happens, the fight goes on,” Aquino-Dee, a co-convenor of democracy network Tindig Pilipinas, said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News.
“As a citizen, I did everything in my power, I believe I did all my duties to hold public officials accountable,” he added, noting how institutions of the government “dragged their feet” with regard to Duterte’s impeachment.
Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the SC’s decision is not only unprecedented, it is procedurally questionable.
“It was a decision without allowing both parties to speak up. The House of Representatives, the principal respondent in the case, was not given the opportunity to file a formal Comment as required by Rule 65, Section 6 of the Rules of Court. No such order was issued by the Court,” De Lima said.
De Lima questioned the SC ruling, asking how can it make a final decision when the respondent has no formal answer yet. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso, Mark Ernest Villeza