The Supreme Court of the Philippines on Friday declared the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, bringing a sudden halt to one of the country’s most politically charged proceedings in recent history. The court ruled that the complaint violated the constitutional provision that bars more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official within a single year.
The high court’s decision comes months after the House of Representatives voted in February to impeach Duterte on allegations that she conspired to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and misused public funds. The accusations were met with fierce political debate and widespread media scrutiny. Duterte has firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court emphasized that constitutional safeguards exist to prevent the abuse of impeachment as a political weapon. “Only one impeachment proceeding may be initiated against the same official within a one-year period,” the court stated, citing Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Philippine Constitution. It added that the complaint failed to meet this requirement and therefore could not proceed.
The court’s announcement effectively invalidates the impeachment initiated earlier this year and shields Duterte from facing similar proceedings until at least February 2026. Legal analysts say the ruling sets an important precedent regarding the boundaries of legislative power in initiating impeachment cases, particularly in a politically polarized environment.
The Office of the Vice President did not immediately issue a statement in response to the ruling. Duterte, the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has been a polarizing figure in Philippine politics, balancing a sometimes tense relationship with the Marcos administration while maintaining strong support among certain factions of the electorate.
Observers note that the impeachment attempt had deepened divisions within the political establishment and raised questions about the unity of the ruling coalition. With the Supreme Court’s decision now final, attention is likely to shift back to the broader political landscape and the ongoing maneuvering ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Despite the gravity of the accusations and the political storm they triggered, the court’s decision underscores the importance of adherence to due process and constitutional limits—reminding all branches of government that even the most serious allegations must be pursued within the framework of the law.
