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Impeachment Trial Against VP Sara Duterte Moves Forward As House Seeks Senate Clarification
Photo credit: Congress PH
Despite procedural uncertainties, the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel insists that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte remains very much active. According to Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, the Senate’s issuance of a summons to Duterte is a clear signal that the impeachment court has already acquired jurisdiction over her, marking a significant step toward the continuation of the trial.
In a press briefing held at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Wednesday, Luistro emphasized that the impeachment trial is now firmly underway. “The court’s service of summons shows that jurisdiction over the respondent has already been established,” she stated. “This means the impeachment trial is undeniably moving forward. No one can stop this anymore.”
The House prosecution team is, however, seeking clarification from the Senate after it initially decided to remand—or return—the Articles of Impeachment back to the House before later accepting them again. Luistro noted that this sequence caused some confusion, as the House maintains the original submission on February 5 was fully compliant with the 1987 Constitution.
Despite the procedural back-and-forth, Luistro pointed out that the Senate’s own order clarified that the case has not been dismissed or terminated. “The Senate explicitly stated that their motion to remand did not mean the impeachment complaints had been dropped,” she said. “This means the case is still very much alive and pending before the impeachment court.”
Following the Senate’s formal organization as an impeachment court on Tuesday evening, presiding officer and Senate President Francis Escudero issued the writ of summons to Vice President Duterte. She now has ten days—non-extendable—to submit her official answer to the allegations laid out in the Articles of Impeachment.
“We look forward to her response,” Luistro said. “This is the moment when the public will finally hear from the Vice President directly—what her defenses are, and how she intends to address the issues raised in the complaint.”
As the trial moves forward, the House prosecution panel remains confident in the strength of its case and committed to seeing the process through. While questions about procedure persist, the legal mechanism of impeachment is clearly in motion, and all eyes now turn to the Vice President’s impending response.
In a press briefing held at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Wednesday, Luistro emphasized that the impeachment trial is now firmly underway. “The court’s service of summons shows that jurisdiction over the respondent has already been established,” she stated. “This means the impeachment trial is undeniably moving forward. No one can stop this anymore.”
The House prosecution team is, however, seeking clarification from the Senate after it initially decided to remand—or return—the Articles of Impeachment back to the House before later accepting them again. Luistro noted that this sequence caused some confusion, as the House maintains the original submission on February 5 was fully compliant with the 1987 Constitution.
Despite the procedural back-and-forth, Luistro pointed out that the Senate’s own order clarified that the case has not been dismissed or terminated. “The Senate explicitly stated that their motion to remand did not mean the impeachment complaints had been dropped,” she said. “This means the case is still very much alive and pending before the impeachment court.”
Following the Senate’s formal organization as an impeachment court on Tuesday evening, presiding officer and Senate President Francis Escudero issued the writ of summons to Vice President Duterte. She now has ten days—non-extendable—to submit her official answer to the allegations laid out in the Articles of Impeachment.
“We look forward to her response,” Luistro said. “This is the moment when the public will finally hear from the Vice President directly—what her defenses are, and how she intends to address the issues raised in the complaint.”
As the trial moves forward, the House prosecution panel remains confident in the strength of its case and committed to seeing the process through. While questions about procedure persist, the legal mechanism of impeachment is clearly in motion, and all eyes now turn to the Vice President’s impending response.
Jun 11, 2025
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