The Senate has declined to comment on Vice President Sara Duterte’s petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop her impeachment trial, stating it has no involvement in the matter.
In a three-page Manifestation Ad Cautelam, the Senate told the High Court that Duterte’s petition does not raise any allegations against the chamber, and therefore, there is nothing for it to respond to.
“In truth, there are no allegations against the respondent Senate,” the manifestation read, as it requested the Supreme Court to accept its statement instead of the required comment.
The Senate also emphasized that it holds the sole authority to handle and decide on impeachment cases, as provided by the Constitution.
The document was signed by Senate Legal Counsel Maria Valentina Santana-Cruz and was submitted following the Supreme Court’s order for the Senate to provide a comment on Duterte’s plea.
Copies of the manifestation were sent to Duterte’s legal team, the House of Representatives, and the Office of the Solicitor General.
Duterte’s petition is one of several requests asking the High Court to stop her impeachment proceedings, with other petitions questioning the legality and process of the charges filed against her.
