SC affirms with finality unconstitutionality of 2025 impeachment rap vs VP Sara

The Supreme Court (SC), in a unanimous resolution, denied with finality the motion filed by the House of Repre-sentatives (HOR) to reconsider the decision that declared unconstitutional the 2025 impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

- By REY G. PANALIGAN

In a press briefer, the Office of the Spokesperson said that the SC affirmed that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate, as impeachment court, on Feb. 5, 2025 against Duterte was already barred by Article XI, Section 3, subsection (5) of the Constitution.

The SC resolution that denied the HOR's motion was declared immediately executory and no further pleadings will be entertained by the High Court.

In its July 25, 2025 decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the SC also ruled that the impeachment complaint violated the right to due process enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

But the SC clarified in its decision that "it is not absolving Vice President Duterte from any of the charges against her, but any subsequent impeachment complaint may only be filed starting Feb. 6, 2026." Among the articles of impeachment against Duterte in 2025 were alleged malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds, bribery and corruption, unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.