The Supreme Court’s decision to throw out consolidated petitions against the House impeachment process targeting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has cleared key legal ambiguity, cementing the Senate Impeachment Court as the sole venue to determine the case, House prosecutors said.
Reading from the Supreme Court’s announcement, Manila Rep. Joel Chua noted that the justices found the petitions no longer presented an active controversy requiring a ruling.
“The Supreme Court ruled that the issues raised in the petition had become moot and academic or no longer required resolution,” Chua said.
Chua explained that the tribunal pointed to the conclusion of the lower chamber’s proceedings and the subsequent endorsement of charges to the upper house.
“Because the House had already approved and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate,” Chua read.
Dismissing a petition on mootness grounds means subsequent events have rendered the requested legal remedies unnecessary. It does not determine guilt or innocence, validate every House action, or declare prosecution evidence automatically admissible.
Chua stressed that the ruling stops the defense from using the petitions to derail completed House proceedings.
“Well, napakahalaga. Unang-una, at least makahinga na tayo na magtutuloy-tuloy na ito at wala nang magiging sagabal dito sa impeachment na ginagawa ngayon dito sa Senado,” Chua said.
Duterte’s defense team retains full rights to object to evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present contrary evidence during the trial.
Prosecution panel member and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon asserted that the ruling neutralizes the Vice President’s main line of criticism regarding the lower house’s process.
“Maraming salamat sa Korte Suprema sa pagbasura ng lahat ng mga petisyon laban sa impeachment ni Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ridon said.
Ridon added that the high court’s action permanently closed the door on claims of legislative overreach.
“Bunsod ng desisyong ito, tapos na ang lahat ng usapan patungkol sa mini-trial at fishing expedition na paulit-ulit na propaganda ng kampo ng Pangalawang Pangulo,” he said.
Ridon emphasized that the constitutional process must now take its course in the proper forum.
“Nasa Senate Impeachment Court na ang nag-iisang laban para sa katotohanan at pananagutan,” he said.