Duterte asks SC to block impeachment process

Metro Manila, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to block the basis of her looming impeachment trial on constitutional grounds, the SC confirmed on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

At the heart of her petition, which SC spokesperson Camille Ting said was filed on Tuesday, Feb. 18, was the constitutional provision that states, “No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”

Duterte said the move of the House of Representatives to shelve the first three complaints was in itself a decision that automatically nullified the fourth complaint, which was signed by more than a third of the chamber and was immediately transmitted to the Senate. The first three cases were archived.

The articles of impeachment had 215 signatories and were transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 5.

The vice president also asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction on the impeachment trial.

“The reason for awaiting the fourth impeachment complaint is not a secret – to allow the House of Representatives and its members to gather the required number of signatures to railroad the impeachment process, in order to beat the May 12, 2025 elections, which they know results in a change in the composition of Congress, thus making it more difficult to get support for the petitioner’s impeachment,” Duterte said.

The vice president’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is one of her counsels.

Supporters of the vice president also filed a petition to block the impeachment on Tuesday.