Photo courtesy of Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook.
Several lawmakers said Thursday that the same allegations cited in Vice President Sara Duterte’s first impeachment complaint could be included in a new filing, as no formal trial was conducted to examine the issues.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, and members of the Makabayan bloc said the Supreme Court’s ruling on the unconstitutionality of the initial complaint addressed procedural issues rather than the merits of the allegations.
Luistro, chairperson of the House committee on justice, explained that the SC decision focused on the process in the House, leaving the original grounds potentially usable in future complaints.
De Lima added that the ruling rested on technicalities and does not constitute a vindication for Duterte, noting that the allegations themselves remain unaddressed.
Makabayan lawmakers said they are ready to refile an impeachment complaint, citing concerns over alleged violations of public trust, misuse of funds, and abuse of authority.
The group emphasized that the new complaint aims to hold Duterte accountable, asserting that procedural barriers should not prevent scrutiny of her actions and omissions.
The Supreme Court (SC) has outlined seven-point guidelines for impeachment proceedings to ensure fairness, including the provision of a copy of the complaint and evidence to the respondent, and allowing reasonable time for response.
