SC resolves controversial cases in 2025

While the Supreme Court reported a lower disposition rate in 2025, with only 19 percent compared to 22 percent in 2024, it nonetheless ruled on a number of controversial cases that shook the nation last year.

- By DAPHNE GALVEZ

In this February 2025 file photo, the Health Alliance for Democracy, together with other health organizations, protest in front of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manilia, to oppose the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury.

(EDD GUMBAN)

The resolved issues include the diversion of Philippine Health Insurance or PhilHealth funds, impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the postponement of the barangay and youth elections as well as the parliamentary poll in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM.

The SC has the duty to settle controversies involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable and determine if any branch or instrumentality of government has acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of excess of jurisdiction.

In February 2025, just before the legislative session took a break, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Duterte over alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which the Vice President also headed then, and for allegedly threatening to kill President Marcos.

Over one-third of the House members endorsed an impeachment complaint, which served as the Articles of Impeachment that was transmitted to the Senate.

However, prior to this, three impeachment complaints, filed by different groups, were lodged against Duterte in December 2024. A conviction in an impeachment trial would have barred Duterte, who is seen as a strong contender for the 2028 presidency, from running for office for life.

In July 2025, the SC unanimously voted to declare the Articles of Impeachment unconstitutional, saying the groups are barred by the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 Paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that “no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”