Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team welcomed the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling declaring her impeachment unconstitutional, citing a constitutional bar that prevents multiple impeachment complaints within one year.
The court ruled that the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte was filed prematurely, following the dismissal of three earlier complaints when the House adjourned in February 2025.
The decision blocks the Senate from trying Duterte on charges including betrayal of public trust but allows new complaints to be filed after February 6, 2026.
The ruling also emphasized due process requirements in impeachment cases, such as the right to be informed of evidence and heard before transmission to the Senate.
Duterte faces allegations including misuse of intelligence funds and a controversial remark about contracting an assassin, but the court clarified the decision does not absolve her from these charges.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 26, 2025
