Says new complaint can be filed Feb. 2026; Senators: Impeach court to proceed still
The Supreme Court blocked the impending Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, saying it violated a constitutional provision against multiple impeachment proceedings within a single year.
The unanimous 13-0 ruling came just days before Congress was to begin its new session on Monday, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is also set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address.
The High Court, however, said impeachment proponents can file a fresh complaint against Duterte next year.
The decision, penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, said: “No new impeachment complaint, if any, may be commenced earlier than February 6, 2026.”
“The Supreme Court has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus VP Sara Duterte is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies during all stages of the impeachment process,” explained SC spokesperson Camille Ting.
The first three impeachment complaints against Duterte were all filed in December 2024. The fourth complaint, filed in February 2025, was adopted by the House and transmitted to the Senate.
The High Tribunal likewise clarified its ruling does not absolve Duterte from any of the charges against her.
“It is not our duty to favor any political result. Ours is to ensure that politics are framed within the Rule of Just Law… There is a right way to do the right thing at the right time. This is what the Rule of Just Law means. This is what fairness or due process of law means, even for impeachment,” the SC ruling read.
Duterte’s defense team welcomed the ruling.
“This unanimous decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process… The decision affirms what we had maintained from the outset – that the 4th impeachment complaint is constitutionally infirm,” it said.
Some senators, however, insisted the impeachment court will still proceed and called for an immediate caucus, noting that the Senate has a clear constitutional mandate as a co-equal branch.
“Whether the Supreme Court made that decision or not, the impeachment court will proceed. We’ll proceed,” said Senator Joel Villanueva in a chance interview.
“I’m sure someone will raise it during the impeachment proceedings. But the impeachment court is sui generis. So, we will proceed,” he added.
He cited the case of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona where the High Court issued a temporary restraining order on his impeachment proceedings but the Senate ultimately ignored it after voting to do so.
“So, there is a precedent … it’s still the impeachment court’s decision,” Villanueva said.
Senator Tito Sotto added: “I was just told by a legal luminary that in this situation, we can disregard the SC decision. Let me study that advice.”
Senator Bam Aquino, for his part, maintained the trial against Duterte should continue given the constitutional mandate of the Upper House.
“I am calling on my fellow senators to immediately hold a caucus to discuss the decision that disregards our duty under the Constitution,” he said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros added: “It is concerning that the Supreme Court appears to have added numerous requirements to begin the impeachment process. I can only hope that this new ruling will not adversely affect future efforts to hold our highest public officers accountable.
“All public officials are accountable to every Filipino, and the constitutional right of the people to hold their highest officials accountable must always prevail. The people have every right to demand answers. We will fight for this,” she said.
House of Representatives spokesperson Princess Abante said: “The House will exhaust all remedies to protect the independence of Congress and preserve the sanctity of our constitutional role. This is not defiance. This is constitutional fidelity.”
“We owe it to the people to be relentless in our duty—because accountability should never be optional, no matter how high the office… That said, we underscore the following: We respect the Supreme Court. But our constitutional duty to uphold truth and accountability does not end here,” Abante added.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the ruling was not only unprecedented, “it is procedurally questionable.”
“I respect the Supreme Court. But in a case of this magnitude—transcendental constitutional importance—we must demand clarity, not shortcuts. The public deserves an explanation. The Court must account for this serious departure from established rules of procedure,” De Lima said.
“To those discouraged: I understand your dismay. But let me assure you: this is not vindication. This is not exoneration…We must not let this ruling numb our sense of justice. This fight is far from over,” she added.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said the people, in their quest for truth and accountability, lost with the High Court ruling.
“Together with the people, we will not stop holding those responsible accountable. We will continue to work with civil society and reform-minded leaders to defend our democracy and ensure that truth and justice prevail,” Diokno said.
The spokesperson of the Senate Impeachment Court said it respects the ruling of the Supreme Court.
“As a co-equal branch of government, we are duty-bound to respect the finality of rulings issued by the High Court,” said lawyer Regie Tongol, spokesperson of the impeachment court.
Tongol said the Supreme Court’s decision confirmed the legal uncertainties that surrounded the impeachment articles transmitted by the House of Representatives.
“The Senate remains committed to upholding constitutional order, ensuring due process, and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions,” he said.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, for his part, expressed delight over 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,” he said.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada added: “I expect the body, when we convene the 20th Congress, to take a collective stand by acceding to the High Court’s 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,” Estrada added.
The Palace likewise called on the public to respect the Supreme Court decision.
“We call on everyone to respect the Supreme Court and place their trust in our institutions,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a brief statement.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in early February, charging her with graft, corruption and an alleged assassination plot against President Marcos, her one-time ally and former running mate.
The Senate last month briefly convened an impeachment court, only to send the case back to the House of Representatives within hours, questioning its constitutionality. With AFP
