In a decisive move, the Senate voted to archive the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, with 19 senators in favor, four opposed, and one abstaining.
The action followed the Supreme Court’s en banc decision declaring the Impeachment proceedings initiated by the House of Representatives as unconstitutional and null from the outset.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in his vote of affirmation, stressed the Senate’s commitment to the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the Supreme Court’s supremacy in constitutional interpretation.
He warned the House of Representatives against allowing itself to be “used for the blind hatred and ambition of a few,” citing the High Court’s findings of grave abuse of discretion and violations of due process.
He emphasized that the Senate is not their playground to run after their political enemies and not an accomplice in any grand scheme.
“Let history record that in this moment, we chose the Constitution, we chose the rule of law by defending the integrity of the Supreme Court and maintaining the system of check and balances under our republican system of government,” he said.
After lengthy deliberation on the motion of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to dismiss the Vice President’s impeachment complaint, the senators eventually voted to officially transfer the documents to the archives.
The Senate received the Articles of Impeachment on Feb. 5, 2025 during the 19th Congress.
Marcoleta’s motion was amended to reflect the Supreme Court’s en banc decision rendered on July 25, 2025, which declared the Articles of Impeachment null and void ab initio and affirmed that the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the case.
Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s motion to table Marcoleta’s motion was rejected, with only five affirmative and 19 negative votes.
In explaining his vote, Sotto expressed caution over the SC decision, which was still under appeal. He argued that archiving the document prematurely would effectively kill the case.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, however, said he sees no reason for the Senate not to accept the SC’s ruling on the vice president’s case.
“Of course, the Senate is not a mere follower of the Supreme Court but a co-equal branch, meant to respect the powers and functions of the latter in its decisions. I trust that this Senate will continue to peacefully co-exist with the Supreme Court. Let us not allow this impeachment trial to become a venue and opportunity to disrupt our system of government,” said the senator.
“We must follow the Supreme Court ruling not because it is the most convenient thing to do but because it is what is right and just—no matter how unacceptable or painful it may be,” Dela Rosa stressed.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada echoed the rule of law, stating that no one – not even the Senate acting as an impeachment court – is above the law.
“The Constitution is not just an ordinary law—it is the supreme law of the land. And if we betray it to serve political passions or popular sentiment, then we betray the Republic itself,” Estrada said.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson abstained, citing the pending motion for reconsideration filed by the House.
“I would rather wait, not preempt, the final ruling of the High Court. It is for these reasons that I abstain, Mr. President,” Lacson added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted no against archiving the Articles of Impeachment, saying that the 1987 Constitution “entrusted the duty to try and decide all cases of impeachment to the Senate.”
“Today, we are voting to abandon this mandate. I reiterate that the Supreme Court decision is not yet final, kahit paano mo baliktarin, so make no mistake: This was an act of the Senate. It is our institution which, in the words of colleagues, killed the Articles of Impeachment,” Hontiveros lamented.
Sen. Loren Legarda also voted yes, “without prejudice to the Supreme Court’s disposition of the pending Motion for Reconsideration.”
“The Court speaks, and at times it speaks again. But until it does, the Senate must not act contrary to what it has already said. For these reasons, I vote yes. I honor the decision of the Supreme Court,” Legarda said. (Dhel Nazario, Hannah Torregoza)
