SENATE POWER
THE Senate has reaffirmed its exclusive authority to adjudicate impeachment cases, responding to Vice President Sara Duterte’s petition before the Supreme Court that seeks to nullify the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her.
In a filing submitted on Thursday, the Senate, represented by legal counsel Maria Valentina Cruz, presented a Manifestation Ad Cautelam—a precautionary declaration—highlighting the 1987 Constitution’s provision granting the Senate sole power to convene as an Impeachment Court.
The manifestation emphasized that as the body constitutionally designated to try and decide all impeachment cases, the Senate is not in a position to comment on Duterte’s petition and has requested to be excused from providing such a comment.
Additionally, the Senate requested that the Manifestation Ad Cautelam be accepted in place of the required comment, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s En Banc Resolution dated February 25, 2025.
Copies of the Senate’s manifestation have been distributed to the law firm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar, representing Duterte; the House of Representatives, through Speaker Martin Romualdez; House Secretary General Reginald Velasco; and the Office of the Solicitor General.
On February 5, 2025, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the first time a sitting vice president in the Philippines has faced such proceedings.
The impeachment was supported by 215 lawmakers, surpassing the one-third requirement needed to transmit the complaint to the Senate for trial.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte includes seven articles, alleging offenses such as plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., large-scale corruption involving misuse of confidential funds, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to public disorder.
Following the impeachment, Duterte filed a petition with the Supreme Court on February 18, 2025, seeking to nullify the proceedings.
She argues that the House committed “grave abuse of discretion” by violating the constitutional prohibition against multiple impeachment proceedings within a year.
Duterte contends that the current impeachment is politically motivated, stemming from her strained relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Supreme Court has directed the House of Representatives, the Senate, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco to submit their comments on Duterte’s petition within 10 days from notice.
No temporary restraining order has been issued, allowing the impeachment process to proceed pending the Court’s decision.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has stated that the Senate will act on the Articles of Impeachment after sessions resume on June 2, 2025.
