High Tribunal Dismissal Shields Trial Rules from Early Legal Snarls, Says Senate Impeachment Court

The Senate Impeachment Court welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to throw out separate petitions questioning its updated rules on the voting threshold required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, framing the dismissal as confirmation of the tribunal’s independence.
The High Tribunal dismissed the legal challenges filed by former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez and attorneys Berteni Causing and Ernesto Francisco Jr. on technical and procedural grounds, specifically citing lack of standing and prematurity. The petitioners had sought an injunction or status quo ante order against the Senate’s September 23 decision, which adjusted the two-thirds conviction threshold to apply strictly to senator-judges who are legally and factually able to participate, rather than maintaining a fixed minimum based on the full 24-member chamber.
Reacting to the Supreme Court En Banc’s action, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol stated that the swift resolution validates the chamber’s internal procedures.
“The Supreme Court’s prompt dismissal of these cases on procedural grounds, specifically lack of standing and prematurity, effectively confirms the interpretations and proceedings of the Senate Impeachment Court are constitutionally bulletproof,” Tongol said.
Tongol further emphasized that the High Bench’s refusal to intervene preserves the separation of powers during the ongoing proceedings.
“By junking these challenges, the Highest Court has drawn a definitive firewall around the independence of the Senate as an Impeachment Court, confirming that its proceedings cannot be held hostage by premature judicial meddling or collateral litigation,” Tongol added.
Members of the House prosecution panel also greeted the ruling as a green light to move forward without constitutional interruptions. House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong noted that the outcome maintains momentum for the trial.
“We welcome the ruling. It allows the trial to proceed without delay and keeps the focus where it belongs, on the evidence already before the Senate Impeachment Court,” Alonto Adiong said.
With the procedural challenges set aside by the judiciary, the Senate Impeachment Court remains on track to continue hearing the articles of impeachment.