A large majority of senators are expected to respect the Supreme Court’s recent decision declaring the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.
Estrada said around 19 to 20 senators are leaning toward following the high court’s ruling, based on their body language and statements during a closed-door caucus.
Last week, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte by the House of Representatives violated the constitutional one-year bar rule and her right to due process. With a 13-0-2 vote, the tribunal also emphasized that the Senate has no jurisdiction to proceed with the trial.
While the SC clarified that Duterte is not cleared of the allegations and that another impeachment complaint may be lodged beginning February 6, 2026, its decision halted any current proceedings.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier warned of a looming constitutional crisis should the Senate defy the ruling, a sentiment echoed by Estrada, who underscored that the decision is immediately executory even if a motion for reconsideration is filed.
Estrada firmly said that the Senate will not convene as an impeachment court since the complaint was invalid from the start. He also noted that while he’s willing to listen to colleagues pushing for a different course, his stance will not change.
Meanwhile, Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, and Bam Aquino are actively rallying support for a resolution that would allow the Senate to move forward with the impeachment trial despite the SC decision. Hontiveros revealed that four senators, including herself, have signed the resolution.
The House of Representatives is also preparing to challenge the high court’s ruling by filing a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the decision was based on erroneous conclusions that contradict official records.
The Senate is scheduled to discuss the matter further in its session on August 6, 2025.
