MANILA — The Supreme Court of the Philippines has ordered the House of Representatives of the Philippines and its justice committee to respond to petitions requesting the suspension of impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte.
In a statement released Wednesday, the court said it had consolidated multiple petitions filed by Duterte and several lawyers questioning the legality of the House proceedings.
While the court has yet to determine whether the petitions merit full consideration, it directed the respondents to file their comments within 10 days from receiving the notice, with no extension allowed.
The first petition was submitted on March 27 by a group of lawyers including Israelito Torreon, Vic Rodriguez, and others, asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the impeachment process. Duterte filed her own petition three days later.
In her filing, the vice president maintained that the proceedings before the House justice committee are unconstitutional and go beyond the panel’s investigative powers.
The petition claimed that the committee’s process effectively functions as a trial, despite being labeled as a “mini-trial,” a “hearing proper,” or a procedure similar to a preliminary investigation.
Duterte argued that permitting the panel to conduct such proceedings would allow it to exceed its authority and intrude upon the role of the impeachment court, a function reserved exclusively for the Senate.
She also raised concerns about due process, saying the proceedings did not provide a genuine opportunity for her side to be heard.
In addition, Duterte contended that the impeachment complaints lack sufficient ultimate facts and instead rely mainly on legal conclusions and evidentiary details.
The vice president asked the court to declare the impeachment proceedings related to the Saballa and Cabrera complaints unconstitutional and to issue an injunction preventing the House and Senate from taking further steps on the matter.
Her legal team clarified that the move was intended to address constitutional questions, not to evade the impeachment process.
Meanwhile, Terry Ridon of the House justice committee criticized Duterte’s petition, saying it rests on what he described as inaccurate claims and a distorted reading of constitutional provisions and jurisprudence.
ia/xf
