A regional trial court has dismissed a legal challenge aimed at halting the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, ruling it had no authority over the matter.
Presiding Judge Madonna Echiverri of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 signed a five-page order on May 6, 2026 rejecting the petition filed by lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, who is the Vice President’s husband. The court found the petition fell outside its jurisdiction.
“The petition for prohibition is DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction. The prayer for issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction is DENIED,” the order, which was received by the House of Representatives, read.
Carpio had filed a petition for prohibition with prayer for a writ of preliminary injunction, naming Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Batangas Rep. Gerville Reyes-Luistro — who chairs the House Committee on Justice — and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza as respondents. The court denied the injunction request alongside the main petition.
The dismissal leaves the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President without a judicial check at the trial court level, at least as far as Carpio’s legal challenge is concerned.
