The Philippine Senate has voted to send back the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, opting not to dismiss the case outright but to seek clarification on several issues.
On Tuesday, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, voted 18-5 to return the articles of impeachment, which were originally transmitted by the House in February.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero clarified that this action is not a dismissal of the case. Instead, it aims to address "serious concerns" raised by senator-judges, particularly regarding whether the complaint violates the constitutional one-year bar on multiple impeachment attempts.
The decision stemmed from a motion by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa to dismiss the case. However, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano amended this motion, proposing to return the articles to the House for clarification.
This includes requiring the House to certify that the complaint does not violate the Constitution and that the incoming 20th Congress is willing to pursue the impeachment.
Cayetano stated that this compromise allows the case to remain 'technically alive' and provides greater clarity for the next Congress, which begins its session soon.
Those who voted against returning the complaint included Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
Senator Hontiveros expressed dissent, arguing that the motion's wording was vague and that the Senate should have simply asked the House for formal compliance rather than returning the entire complaint.
"The wording of the approved motion introduces unnecessary ambiguity to the already politically charged proceedings. Ang return po ay pagsauli o pagbalik. Sa usapin ng judicial court nireremand ang kaso pabalik sa lower court for further proceedings," she said.
Following the vote, the Senate also issued a writ of summons to Vice President Duterte, notifying her to respond to the articles of impeachment within 10 days of receipt.
The 19th Congress is set to close this week, meaning that if the impeachment complaint is to proceed, it will likely be taken up by the 20th Congress.
Vice President Duterte has denied all accusations against her, which include "violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes."
