MANILA — The House of Representatives will press ahead with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio despite a pending petition before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the process, asserting its constitutional mandate to determine probable cause without delay.
House Committee on Justice chairperson Batangas’ Cong. Gerville Luistro said the chamber remains duty-bound to carry out its role unless the high court issues a direct order stopping the proceedings.
“We will abide by any lawful order it may issue. At the same time, the Constitution is equally clear in vesting upon the House of Representatives the sole power to initiate impeachment cases. This is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and one we are duty-bound to carry out faithfully,” Luistro said.
She stressed that the filing of a petition does not automatically suspend the work of Congress.
“The filing of a petition, by itself, does not suspend the constitutional functions of a coequal branch. Accordingly, unless and until directed otherwise by the Supreme Court, the House will continue to perform its mandate,” she said.
Luistro clarified that the ongoing hearings are limited to establishing whether probable cause exists to impeach Duterte-Carpio, and not to determine guilt.
“The process being undertaken is anchored on due process, consistent with the Constitution, the Rules on Impeachment, and relevant jurisprudence. We determine whether probable cause exists—not to determine guilt, and not to conduct a trial. That function belongs to the Senate,” she said.
The House’s move comes after a group of lawyers filed a 186-page petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the panel’s acceptance of the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Duterte-Carpio, arguing that these were insufficient in both form and substance.
“[T]his petition is not about placing Vice President Sara Duterte on accountability. It is about ensuring that accountability remains constitutional. Impeachment is a grave constitutional process. It is not a political free-for-all process,” petitioner and lawyer Israelito Torreon said.
Named respondents in the petition include the House Committee on Justice, represented by Luistro, and the House of Representatives, represented by Speaker Faustino Dy III.
Despite the legal challenge, Luistro maintained that the proceedings are being conducted transparently and in accordance with constitutional safeguards.
“The proceedings are open, orderly, and provide all parties the opportunity to be heard. This is a demonstration of how our system of checks and balances operates — each branch acting within its own constitutional sphere, with mutual respect for one another,” she said.
“In all these, we remain guided by one principle: fidelity to the Constitution and service to the Filipino people,” she added./PN
