The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled that an impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is unconstitutional due to a technicality, blocking her upcoming trial on various criminal allegations. The court stated that the House of Representatives violated a rule limiting one impeachment case per year, sending only one of four cases filed against her to the Senate for trial. The ruling was deemed “immediately executory,” and its authors emphasized upholding the rule of law over any political outcome.
Duterte faces charges including threatening to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated, large-scale corruption, sedition, terrorism, and failing to support efforts to oppose China’s aggression in the South China Sea. Her impeachment trial was set to begin next month, but the Supreme Court’s decision has sparked uncertainty about her future.
The case arises from Duterte’s criticism of Marcos and his family during a November news conference, which led to criminal investigations and calls for her impeachment. Duterte’s lawyers welcome the court’s decision, stating they will address the allegations at the proper time and forum.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-philippines-vice-president-sara-duterte-2ba4d3afd303cbb135b3966a7911c8e5