The Supreme Court has ordered the Senate to submit its response to a petition demanding the immediate start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting confirmed the decision was reached during the court’s en banc session on Tuesday. The Senate has been given a non-extendible deadline of 10 days to file its comment.
“Impeachment is a nationwide concern that will be treated with urgency because of the gravity of the matter,” Ting stated.
The petition for mandamus, filed by lawyer Catalino Generillo Jr. last week, argues that the Senate must act “forthwith” on the impeachment complaint, as stated in the Constitution. Generillo emphasized that “forthwith” means “immediately,” leaving no room for delay.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on allegations of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. A conviction in the 24-member Senate requires at least 16 votes and would prevent her from holding public office, including a possible presidential run.
Senate President Francis Escudero previously indicated that the trial might not begin until after the midterm elections in May, with completion unlikely before the next Congress convenes in July.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal team has challenged the impeachment before the Supreme Court, claiming the process was rushed without proper scrutiny. Their petition seeks to nullify the impeachment and halt the Senate trial, citing a lack of sufficient deliberation in the House of Representatives, where the complaint was introduced and passed on the same day.
Ting reiterated that the Supreme Court will treat the matter with urgency.
