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Advocates Philippines
Lawmakers Slam TRO Bid Against Duterte Impeachment Proceedings
Photo credit: Sara Duterte
Several lawmakers have criticized Vice President Sara Duterte after a group of lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.
The petition, filed by lawyers, asks the Supreme Court to stop the House Committee on Justice from continuing its hearings on impeachment complaints against Duterte, citing alleged grave abuse of discretion.
The move drew sharp reactions from lawmakers aligned with opposition groups.
Former Senator Leila de Lima said the initiation of an impeachment case, including proceedings before the House Committee on Justice, falls under the exclusive authority of the House of Representatives.
“Initiation of an impeachment case, which covers the proceedings before the Committee of Justice, is the House’s exclusive domain. When we respect that, we also respect and uphold the constitutional edict on separation of powers,” de Lima said.
She also criticized Duterte, saying the legal move appears to be an attempt to avoid accountability. De Lima urged the Supreme Court to uphold the impeachment process as a constitutional mechanism of checks and balances.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña also reacted to the development, questioning reports that Duterte’s allies are seeking a TRO.
“VP Duterte allied lawyers asking the SC to TRO the impeachment hearings? Hindi nakakapagtaka. Expected na yan. Korap lang ang ayaw humarap,” Cendaña said in a social media post.
Despite the petition, the House Committee on Justice continues its review of impeachment complaints to determine whether there is sufficient basis to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment cases, while the Senate serves as the impeachment court that conducts the trial and decides whether to convict or acquit.
The Supreme Court has not yet acted on the petition, and no TRO has been issued as of this time. The filing of the petition does not automatically stop the House from continuing its proceedings unless ordered by the Court.
As the case develops, the dispute highlights ongoing tensions between legal remedies and political accountability in the country’s constitutional system.
The petition, filed by lawyers, asks the Supreme Court to stop the House Committee on Justice from continuing its hearings on impeachment complaints against Duterte, citing alleged grave abuse of discretion.
The move drew sharp reactions from lawmakers aligned with opposition groups.
Former Senator Leila de Lima said the initiation of an impeachment case, including proceedings before the House Committee on Justice, falls under the exclusive authority of the House of Representatives.
“Initiation of an impeachment case, which covers the proceedings before the Committee of Justice, is the House’s exclusive domain. When we respect that, we also respect and uphold the constitutional edict on separation of powers,” de Lima said.
She also criticized Duterte, saying the legal move appears to be an attempt to avoid accountability. De Lima urged the Supreme Court to uphold the impeachment process as a constitutional mechanism of checks and balances.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña also reacted to the development, questioning reports that Duterte’s allies are seeking a TRO.
“VP Duterte allied lawyers asking the SC to TRO the impeachment hearings? Hindi nakakapagtaka. Expected na yan. Korap lang ang ayaw humarap,” Cendaña said in a social media post.
Despite the petition, the House Committee on Justice continues its review of impeachment complaints to determine whether there is sufficient basis to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment cases, while the Senate serves as the impeachment court that conducts the trial and decides whether to convict or acquit.
The Supreme Court has not yet acted on the petition, and no TRO has been issued as of this time. The filing of the petition does not automatically stop the House from continuing its proceedings unless ordered by the Court.
As the case develops, the dispute highlights ongoing tensions between legal remedies and political accountability in the country’s constitutional system.
Mar 27, 2026
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