House leaders decry Senate move to archive impeachment vs. VP Sara

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

In a statement, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez questioned the move despite the case still pending in the Supreme Court. (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Leaders of the House of Representatives on Thursday decried the Senate’s move to archive the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a statement, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez questioned the move despite the case still pending in the Supreme Court.

“Yesterday, the Senate — not sitting as an impeachment court — moved swiftly to archive the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite the case still pending before the Supreme Court,” he said.

“To archive is, in effect, to bury the Articles of Impeachment. Yet the ruling of the Supreme Court is not final. On Aug. 5, the House of Representatives filed a Motion for Reconsideration. The Court found our arguments serious enough to require the respondents, including the Vice President, to submit their comments. The case is active,” Romualdez said.

He reiterated that the impeachment case against Duterte was never about political maneuvering, but about accountability anchored on verified facts and sworn documents.

Yet, he said they were met with personal attacks, sweeping accusations, and “a narrative that seeks to reduce a solemn constitutional duty into mere power play.”

“Let’s be clear: the filing of the complaint was not rushed. What was rushed – remarkably — was its burial,” Romualdez said.

“We do not rise against the Senate. We rise for the Republic. Tuloy ang laban (The fight continues), for the Constitution, for the rule of law, and for the enduring truth that no public office is ever beyond the reach of accountability,” he said.

Meanwhile, House Committee on Human Rights chair Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. called the Senate decision a “dangerous precedent” that weakens the constitutional process of accountability.

“The Senate’s action sends the wrong message: that accountability may be set aside. That should never be the case in a democracy governed by laws,” Abante said in a separate statement.

Abante warned that public officials may now be emboldened to ignore questions of propriety or legality — especially if they enjoy political popularity or are seen as future contenders for higher office.

“The impeachment process is not about 2028. It is about whether public funds were used during a time when no legal mandate had yet been conferred to an office. That is a clear question of constitutional integrity — not political ambition,” he said.

Abante also took issue with how some senators appeared to dismiss the complaint as “politically motivated” without addressing the substance of the allegations.

“Impeachment is not a political circus. It is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold high officials accountable. When we reduce it to mere political noise, we erode the very institutions we swore to uphold,” he said.

While respecting the Senate’s institutional prerogative, Abante said the matter is far from over, as the House prosecution panel has filed a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court.

“This fight for truth is not yet over. The legal process continues, and more importantly, so does the public’s judgment,” Abante said.

House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list, meanwhile, cautioned senators against deflecting public scrutiny by attacking the House of Representatives and Romualdez in their apparent attempt to justify the Senate’s dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

“Let’s not twist the narrative. The House did its job, and we followed the process. You can’t defend one branch of government by attacking another,” Acidre said.

“When over 200 members vote in favor of impeachment, that’s not just one man’s decision. That’s the House speaking as an institution. Calling it a political maneuver is not only unfair, napaka-misleading nito (it’s also misleading),” he added.

He also pointed out that the Senate’s move to archive the complaint does not resolve the controversy, nor does it erase the public’s demand for a full explanation.

“Just because the Senate dropped the case doesn’t mean the issue disappears. The public is still waiting for answers. Deflection is not accountability. The Senate must deal with the fallout brought about by their own decision,” he said.

The lawmaker reminded senators to respect the independence of the House, even amid disagreement.

“Konting respeto naman (A little respect please). You don’t protect one institution by disrespecting another. We can disagree on the outcome, but don’t question our motives when all we did was follow the rules,” Acidre said.

“Let’s stop the noise and start answering the questions that matter,” he added.