Some senators insist on Duterte impeachment trial despite Supreme Court ruling

Metro Manila, Philippines - Some senators are pushing to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling.

In a highly contested decision issued on Friday, July 25, the Supreme Court declared the impeachment complaint unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on new complaints—ruling in favor of Duterte.

Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said the court is “duty-bound to respect the finality of rulings issued by the High Court,” but several senator-judges have expressed disagreement.

“We will proceed,” Senator Joel Villanueva, a former Senate Majority Leader, told reporters shortly after the decision’s release. He said the impeachment court is “sui generis”—a class of its own—and can decide whether or not to submit to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Villanueva cited precedent when the impeachment court voted to defy a Supreme Court ruling during the trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“So it’s still the impeachment court’s decision,” he said.

Senator Bam Aquino sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling, saying it disregards the Senate’s constitutional duty as the impeachment court. He called on his colleagues to immediately hold a caucus to determine their next steps.

“Matibay ang aking paninindigan na dapat ipagpatuloy ang impeachment trial,” Aquino said.

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III cited a legal expert's opinion that the Senate “can disregard the SC decision.”

“Let me study that advice,” he said.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed dismay, saying she would fight for the people’s right to demand accountability from public officials.

“Nakakabahala na tila nagdagdag ng napakaraming requirement ang Korte Suprema para simulan ang proseso ng [It is disturbing that the Supreme Court imposes a number of requirements for the impeachment process]. I can only hope that this new ruling will not adversely affect future efforts to hold our highest public officers accountable,” she said.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan said he has yet to read the decision but noted that the ruling must be respected.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon warned of a potential “constitutional crisis” should the Senate defy the High Court, stressing that the Supreme Court has “sole authority to decide issues of constitutionality.”

Duterte’s allies in the Senate, Imee Marcos and Bato dela Rosa, welcomed the ruling.

“When I moved for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint vs VP Sara, I was guided by the Holy Spirit. When the SC ruled it as unconstitutional I’m sure they were guided also by the Holy Spirit,” Dela Rosa said.

Marcos urged colleagues to move on.

“Sa mga kasamahan kong senador - trabaho na po tayo. Atupagin na natin ang kapakanan ng mamamayan. Awat muna sa pulitika,” she said.

[Translation: To my colleagues - let’s proceed to work. Let’s focus on the welfare of the people. Take a break from politics.]

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada expressed hope that senators would vote to abide by the Supreme Court decision.

“As a co-equal branch of government, we must abide by the decision of the Supreme Court. Even in a political process like impeachment proceedings, we must adhere to established procedures and due process to ensure that our actions are neither arbitrary nor solely driven by political agendas,” he said.