THE SUPREME Court En Banc shut down the door of all legal efforts to impeach Vice President Sara Z. Duterte as it denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.
In a unanimous vote of all participating justices, the high tribunal affirmed its July 25, 2025, decision, which declared the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President unconstitutional.
The Court ruled that the impeachment attempt transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 5, 2025, violated the “one-year bar” rule stipulated in Article XI of the Constitution.
The SC clarified that the first three complaints filed against the vice president had already triggered the one-year window because they were not placed in the order of business within the mandatory 10-session days.
Crucially, the Court defined “session days” in its “plain and ordinary sense,” meaning any calendar day the House holds a session, rather than specific “legislative” session days.
The Court noted that while the House has the power to create its own rules, those rules cannot override constitutional requirements. It further clarified that even in a “direct” initiation, all endorsing members must be provided with the complaint and supporting evidence to satisfy the requirements of due process.
Due process is ‘sui generis’
The Court emphasized that the right to due process applies to impeachment, describing it as a commitment to “reasonableness, fairness, and non-arbitrariness.” However, it noted that due process in this context is sui generis (unique), as the full-blown trial occurs only once the case reaches the Senate.
In a move to ensure stability, the Court declared the resolution immediately executory upon digital service to all parties. “No further pleadings will be allowed,” the Court stated, effectively shielding the vice president from this specific impeachment cycle.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa took no part in the decision, while Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh was on leave
Official statement of OVP
“We acknowledge the Resolution of the Supreme Court denying the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.
“We thank the Honorable Court for a ruling that now definitively lays down clear and authoritative guidance on the constitutional limits and proper treatment of impeachment proceedings.
“With these issues settled by the Court, the matter is now closed. We should then move on to address the nation’s other pressing concerns,” it said.
