MANILA — With the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, her camp is now preparing for the possibility of another impeachment complaint being filed in 2026.
Duterte-Carpio’s legal spokesperson, Atty. Michael Poa, said the Vice President’s legal team is closely watching developments in Congress and is ready to respond if a new complaint is filed once the one-year ban under the Constitution expires.
“Tignan natin ang mga developments, at kung dumating man ang pagkakataon na there will be another impeachment, sabi nga nila, subject to the one-year ban, we will be ready to face those allegations,” Poa said in an interview with Unang Balita on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous 13-0 vote, declared the impeachment articles against Duterte-Carpio as unconstitutional, citing a violation of her right to due process and the constitutional one-year ban on such proceedings under Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution.
While the decision takes immediate effect, the House of Representatives has stated its intention to file a motion for reconsideration, claiming that the high court’s ruling contradicts official congressional records.
The ruling also clarified that Duterte-Carpio has not been exonerated from the charges — including betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes — but any new impeachment complaint may only be filed starting February 6, 2026.
To recall, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte-Carpio on February 5 with over 200 lawmakers backing the complaint.
Poa also responded to allegations that the Supreme Court’s decision was politically influenced, as several justices were appointed by the Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Sana po ay respetuhin natin at igalang natin ang desisyon dahil medyo insulto naman siguro sa ating mga justices kung sabihin natin na nag-decide sila, one way or the other, for some political pressure,” Poa said./PN
