The Supreme Court En Banc has tossed out consolidated petitions seeking to void the House of Representatives’ handling of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, declaring the legal challenges moot and academic following the transmittal of charges to the Senate.
In a statement issued Wednesday, August 5, the tribunal confirmed the dismissal of separate petitions brought forward by lawyer Israelito P. Torreon and associates, alongside a parallel petition filed by Duterte. Both actions sought to invalidate the proceedings held by the House Committee on Justice during its initial evaluation of the complaints.
The petitioners contended that the House committee overstepped its constitutional mandate by admitting evidence and issuing witness subpoenas while assessing whether the complaints met basic requirements of form, substance, and sufficient grounds.
However, the High Court held that judicial review became unnecessary once the House concluded its constitutional duty by approving and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment to the upper chamber.
“The House’s transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment marked the end of the House’s role in the impeachment process and the initiation of the impeachment case,” the Court stated in its resolution, observing that the specific actions petitioners sought to restrain were already finalized.
The resolution emphasized that jurisdiction over the matter has formally shifted to the Senate, which has convened as a tribunal and commenced the trial phase.
Under established jurisprudence, the justices noted that issuing a ruling on the procedural choices of the House panel would yield no practical legal remedy, rendering the petitions moot.
While the decision clears away outstanding legal obstacles against the lower house’s past actions, it leaves the ongoing trial undisturbed. The Senate impeachment court retains sole jurisdiction over the case, where the House prosecution panel is actively introducing testimony and documentary evidence, including records concerning the disputed use of confidential funds.
With the High Court stepping aside, the Vice President’s trial rests with the Senate, where senator-judges will evaluate the prosecution and defense arguments to render a verdict of conviction or acquittal.