The Supreme Court En Banc has unanimously denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, seeking to overturn the Court’s July 25, 2025 ruling that declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional.
In its ruling, the Court affirmed that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025, was barred by the Constitution’s one-year prohibition rule under Article XI, Section 3(5). Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa did not participate, while Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh was on leave.
The Court clarified that the first three impeachment complaints were deemed “initiated” because they were not placed in the House Order of Business within the required 10 session days. It noted that “session days” refer to calendar days when the House actually holds sessions, not legislative session days.
While affirming the House’s authority to craft its own impeachment rules, the Court clarified that even under the second mode, current House rules only allow referral to the Committee on Justice for verification, evidence confirmation, and consolidation—not for substantive screening.
The Court further emphasized that due process applies to impeachment, describing the process as sui generis (unique in character), with full trial proceedings properly belonging to the Senate. It ruled that the operative fact doctrine cannot be invoked by parties responsible for unconstitutional acts, making it inapplicable in this case.
The resolution is immediately executory, with no further pleadings allowed. The Court’s decision, along with separate opinions, has been digitally served to all parties.
