26/07/2025
LAWMAKERS SLAM SC RULING JUNKING VP SARA IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT
Lawmakers on Friday, July 25, denounced the Supreme Court's decision declaring the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendana warned the ruling set "a dangerous precedent," saying the High Court had "reduced itself to being the Supreme Coddler of Vice President Sara Duterte."
"Lahat ng tiwaling politiko, pwedeng magtago sa likod ng Supreme Court at takasan ang pananagutan sa sambayanan," he said.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno stressed that the complaint followed constitutional procedures, including endorsement by more than one-third of the House of Representatives.
"Sa desisyong ito, talo ang taumbayan. Talo ang pananagutan," Diokno said. "Kasama ang taumbayan, hindi tayo titigil manawagang panagutin ang dapat managot."
Meanwhile, ML Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima called the ruling "procedurally questionable," noting that the House, a principal respondent in the case, was not asked to file a formal comment — a clear requirement under Rule 65, Section 6 of the Rules of Court.
"Even traffic violators are given more due process than what was accorded here," De Lima said. "Walang naburang kasalanan. Walang nalinis na pangalan."
She added: "We must not let this ruling numb our sense of justice. Hindi tayo dapat masanay sa mga lider na hindi napapanagot."