House asks SC to reverse decision on VP Duterte's impeachment

The House of Representatives (HOR) sought the reversal of the Supreme Court's (SC) immediately executory decision that declared unconstitutional the articles of impeachment filed before the Senate, as impeachment court, against Vice President Sara Duterte.

- By REY G. PANALIGAN

The HOR's motion for reconsideration was filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) led by Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe.

In its decision issued last July 25, the SC declared that the impeachment complaint filed by the HOR on Feb. 5, 2025 is barred by the one-year rule under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution and that it violates the right to due process enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

In its motion, the HOR asked the SC “to uphold the Constitution, which gives life to all the institutions of government, and with the people, who in turn, are the true sovereign, and to whom all accountability, trust, and power are owed.”

It told the SC that it respects the High Court's power of judicial review to determine whether there is grave abuse of discretion on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the government.

But it pointed out that “this expanded power is not absolute, unlimited, nor all encompassing” and “like other powers bestowed by the Constitution, it is limited by the foundational document itself.”