House Moves to Revise Impeachment Rules After Supreme Court Decision on VP Duterte Case
The House of Representatives is now actively considering a revision of its Rules of Impeachment in response to a landmark Supreme Court ruling. This development comes after the SC en banc upheld with finality its earlier decision, which declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional.
Key Statements from House Officials
In an official statement, Manila Third District Representative Joel Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and serves on the House Prosecution Team for Duterte's impeachment complaint, outlined the next steps. He emphasized that he will confer with members of the House Committee on Justice to determine the best approach for revising the impeachment rules in compliance with the Supreme Court's directive.
"We will receive inputs from the complainants, some of whom are now members of the House. It is also possible that the Prosecution Team composition will have some changes," Chua stated. He further added, "While I do not agree with the Supreme Court decision, we will abide by it because as a lawyer, I am an officer of the court and swore to respect and uphold our system anchored on the rule of law."
Supreme Court Ruling Details
The Supreme Court issued its decision on Thursday, January 29, 2025, rejecting the House of Representatives' bid to overturn a previous ruling from July 25, 2025. 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 on initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official.
The ruling clarified that the first three impeachment complaints against Duterte, filed under the initial mode of impeachment, were considered "initiated" even though they were archived and not acted upon by the House. The articles of impeachment, which were approved by over 250 House members and submitted to the Senate in February, represented the fourth complaint filed against Duterte in the lower chamber.
Reactions from Legislative Leaders
House Justice Committee chairperson Gerville Luistro commented on the implications of the SC decision, noting that it effectively renders the first impeachment complaint against Duterte "already dead." However, she maintained that the House followed the rules as outlined in the Constitution and its own impeachment guidelines. "If ever there will be a second impeachment complaint against the VP, we will have to follow the rules provided in the decision of the Supreme Court which to our interpretation, provided additional requirements," Luistro explained.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed strong criticism of the ruling, describing it as "a clear judicial legislation." He argued, "The SC, as written in their decision, admitted of introducing a rule for Congress to follow in the conduct of impeachment. A clear encroachment on the power of the Legislative branch, as provided for by the Constitution." Sotto concluded that with this ruling, "impeachment is now an impossible dream."
Background and Ongoing Developments
In August 2025, the Senate voted to archive the articles of impeachment against Duterte following the Supreme Court's initial decision. Sotto voted against archiving the complaints, instead moving to table or defer action due to the pending motion for reconsideration filed by the House.
Meanwhile, the Makabayan Bloc, which includes ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Women's Party Representative Sarah Jane Elago, and Kabataan Representative Renee Louise Co, announced their readiness to refile impeachment complaints against Duterte. This coalition has also previously filed an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., which has been referred to the House Committee on Justice.
Duterte's impeachment case centers on six major allegations, including violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. These involve the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary from 2022 to 2024, as well as accusations of bribery and corruption within DepEd.
