Senator Mark Villar has stood firm on the Senate’s handling of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, pointing to a recent Supreme Court decision that struck it down as unconstitutional.
In a unanimous ruling on July 25, the High Court nullified the articles of impeachment, ruling that they violated the Constitution’s “one-year rule” and failed to observe due process.
“No one, including the Senate, can substitute its opinion for the Court’s in any matter concerning the Constitution,” Villar said, referencing the landmark 1936 case of Jose Angara vs. the Electoral Commission, which defined the principles of separation of powers and judicial review.
“If we disobey the Supreme Court’s decision on a constitutional issue, we are disregarding the Constitution,” he stressed.
Villar emphasized that while impeachment is a political exercise, it must still follow legal procedures and fairness. “We are bound — not only by law — but by our oath,” he said.
