Leaders of the House of Representatives expressed strong disapproval on Thursday regarding the Senate’s decision to archive the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez questioned the Senate’s actions, noting that the case remains 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 stated.
Romualdez emphasized that archiving the case effectively buries the Articles of Impeachment, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling not being final. He pointed out that on August 5, the House of Representatives filed a Motion for Reconsideration, which the Court deemed serious enough to require comments from the respondents, including the Vice President. “The case is active,” he affirmed.
He reiterated that the impeachment case against Duterte was not politically motivated but focused on accountability based on verified facts and sworn documents. However, he lamented that they faced personal attacks and accusations, reducing a constitutional duty to mere power play. “Let’s be clear: the filing of the complaint was not rushed. What was rushed – remarkably — was its burial,” Romualdez stated.
He concluded by asserting, “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.”
House Committee on Human Rights chair Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. described the Senate’s decision as a “dangerous precedent” that undermines 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,” he remarked.
Abante warned that public officials might feel emboldened to disregard questions of propriety or legality, especially if they are politically popular or seen as future contenders for higher office. He stressed that the impeachment process is not about political ambition but about constitutional integrity.
He also criticized some senators for dismissing 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,” Abante stated.
While respecting the Senate’s institutional prerogative, Abante affirmed that 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,” he added.
House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list cautioned senators against deflecting public scrutiny by attacking the House of Representatives and Romualdez in their attempts to justify the Senate’s dismissal of the impeachment complaint.
“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 stated. He highlighted that over 200 members voting in favor of impeachment reflects the House’s collective decision, not just an individual’s.
He also noted that the Senate’s move to archive the complaint does not resolve the controversy or 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,” he asserted.
Acidre reminded senators to respect the independence of the House, even amid disagreements. “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,” he concluded.
“Let’s stop the noise and start answering the questions that matter,” he added.