MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers representing Vice President Sara Duterte have filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to suspend ongoing impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. The petition, lodged on Friday, requests a writ of preliminary injunction and challenges the conduct of the House Committee on Justice.
Lawyer Israelito Torreon clarified that the move is not intended to shield Duterte from accountability but to ensure that the impeachment process adheres to constitutional standards.
“Impeachment is a grave constitutional process. It is not a political free-for-all,” Torreon said during a press briefing.
The petition claims the House committee overstepped its authority by allowing flawed complaints to proceed and by conducting subpoena-driven proceedings that resemble a trial. Key points raised in the petition include:
Alleged double standards in evaluating complaints, where earlier cases were dismissed for insufficient evidence while Duterte’s complaints advanced despite similar issues.
Third and fourth complaints are described as repackaged, duplicative, and conclusory, undermining proper threshold review.
Subpoenas for documents, affidavits, and other evidence were issued before confirming complaint sufficiency, turning preliminary review into a “fishing expedition.”
Due process concerns arise when complaints survive initial review and then expand through external evidence.
Threshold review, the lawyers argue, should not be bypassed or converted into a full evidentiary hearing.
Complaints must clearly link alleged offenses to the respondent, rather than relying on hearsay or vague claims.
Torreon emphasized that the case concerns constitutional limits, not guilt or innocence. The filing comes as the committee continues to request Duterte’s financial documents and summon witnesses over alleged misuse of confidential funds.
The impeachment complaints allege misuse of government funds, unexplained wealth, and schemes against senior officials—charges Duterte has consistently denied. If endorsed by the committee, at least 106 House members must vote in favor for the case to advance to the Senate.
ia/xf
