The House of Representatives said Friday it will respect but carefully review the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, adding it "will exhaust all remedies to protect the independence of Congress."
According to House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante, the SC’s ruling does not mean the House will abandon its pursuit of truth and the public’s call for accountability from the Vice President.
“Ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema ay igagalang—ngunit kailanman ay hindi ito magiging dahilan upang kami’y tumigil sa pagtupad ng aming tungkulin,” Abante said in a statement.
She emphasized that the impeachment issue is not just about Duterte, but a fight to uphold the people’s right to demand accountability from the government.
“Hindi lang ito laban sa isang opisyal. Ito ay laban para sa karapatan ng taumbayan na maningil ng pananagutan sa gobyerno,” she stressed.
Abante cited the House’s exclusive authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, as enshrined in Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution, and affirmed by the Supreme Court in the 2003 case of Francisco v. House of Representatives.
“The impeachment process is not just a legal mechanism—it is a vital democratic safeguard,” the House statement read.
She warned that allowing the judiciary to interfere in the initiation of the impeachment process could undermine the fundamental principle of checks and balances.
“Impeachment is a political act rooted in the people’s will—no legal technicality should silence it,” the statement proceeds.
The House vowed to exhaust all remedies to protect its independence and preserve the sanctity of its constitutional role.
“This is not defiance. This is constitutional fidelity,” Abante added.
“We owe it to the people to be relentless in our duty—because accountability should never be optional, no matter how high the office,” the lower chamber concluded.
