Former senator and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has issued a public apology to the Supreme Court after criticizing its decision to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte—only to later admit she hadn’t read the ruling in full before making her statement.
On Saturday, July 26, De Lima retracted her earlier claim that the SC decision was “one-sided,” acknowledging that her comments were based on incorrect information. She originally accused the high court of issuing a final decision without giving the House of Representatives, the main respondent, a chance to comment.
“I regret and most humbly apologize to the [SC] for characterizing the impeachment decision as ex-parte,” she said, clarifying that her statement was made without having read the official document.
De Lima conceded that her assumption—that the House was denied the opportunity to respond—was unfounded. “It is plainly evident in the decision, which I was able to read only after the release of my statement yesterday, that the House’s comments in the two impeachment petitions were indeed considered by the court,” she admitted.
Taking full accountability, De Lima added, “There is no excuse for this mistake and I bear full responsibility for the same.”
Just a day prior, De Lima lashed out at the high court, questioning its procedure and arguing that “even traffic violators are given more due process.” She had labeled the ruling as an “ex-parte decision,” which she argued violated judicial norms that require both parties to be heard.
