February 19, 2025 – Vice President Sara Duterte has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the legality and constitutionality of the fourth impeachment complaint lodged against her.
The petition for certiorari and prohibition, which includes an urgent request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or a writ of preliminary injunction, was submitted on February 18, 2025, according to a report by GMA Integrated News’ Saleema Refran.
Legal Challenge Against the House and Senate
Duterte’s petition names the House of Representatives, represented by Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Senate, led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco as respondents.
Filed through the Fortun, Narvasa & Salazar law firm, the petition seeks judicial intervention from the Supreme Court, citing due process violations and constitutional concerns regarding the impeachment proceedings.
However, SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting confirmed that the petition was not included in the en banc agenda on Tuesday.
Background on Duterte’s Impeachment
Duterte has faced multiple impeachment complaints, with three filed against her in December 2024 over the alleged misuse of confidential funds. The fourth complaint, endorsed by over one-third of House lawmakers, was later transmitted to the Senate.
Despite this, the Senate adjourned without addressing the impeachment case, with Escudero stating that a trial would likely begin after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 21 under the 20th Congress.
Other Legal Challenges
Lawyers from Mindanao and other groups have previously petitioned the Supreme Court to halt Duterte’s impeachment trial, arguing that the complaint is defective. In a 114-page filing, they urged the SC to declare the Articles of Impeachment null and void.
Additionally, a petition for mandamus was filed last Friday, requesting the SC to order the Senate to immediately convene as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial.
Duterte’s Response
Duterte has stated that she does not intend to resign despite her impeachment. While the Senate trial has yet to be convened, she has expressed early on that she will not appear, citing procedural allowances.
She has also welcomed the impeachment complaints, seeing them as an opportunity to address the allegations against her.
Key Articles of Impeachment Against VP Duterte
The seven Articles of Impeachment include:
- Conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
- Misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, with questionable liquidation records.
- Bribery and corruption within the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure as Education Secretary.
- Unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), with a fourfold increase in wealth from 2007 to 2017.
- Involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City.
- Efforts to destabilize the government, including boycotting SONA, calling for Marcos Jr.’s resignation, and obstructing congressional investigations.
- The totality of her conduct as Vice President.
With legal battles mounting, Duterte’s petition signals a significant challenge to the impeachment process, with the Supreme Court now at the center of a high-stakes political and constitutional debate.