The Senate has voted to archive the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, leaving open the possibility of reviving the case should the Supreme Court revisit its ruling declaring the complaint void.
In a session marked by legal wrangling and procedural maneuvers, 19 senators voted in favor of a motion by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to archive the case — a move that replaced his earlier call to outright dismiss the complaint. Only four senators opposed the motion, while Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson abstained.
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The vote followed the rejection of a separate motion filed by Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who had asked his colleagues to temporarily set aside Marcoleta’s proposal. Sotto emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling invalidating the impeachment complaint is not yet final, as motions for reconsideration remain pending.
Despite his argument, Sotto’s motion failed, also by a 19-4 vote.
Archiving the complaint rather than dismissing it allows the Senate to potentially revisit the matter if the Supreme Court alters or reverses its earlier decision. Senate leaders stressed that the move preserves the institution’s flexibility without prematurely closing the door on the case.
Vice President Duterte has not publicly commented on the Senate’s decision as of press time. The impeachment complaint, which had earlier been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, sparked intense debate on the limits of legislative and judicial oversight and the balance of powers in Philippine governance.
Legal experts say the Senate’s decision to archive — rather than dismiss — the case reflects a cautious approach, as lawmakers await the final outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.
The developments underscore the ongoing tension between the judiciary and legislative branches over jurisdiction in impeachment proceedings, with broader implications for constitutional checks and balances.
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