February 20, 2025
Manila – Vice President Sara Duterte has fought for the first time legal measures against cases that could lead to her removal and a life-long ban on public office.
Duterte filed a petition on February 18 asking the Supreme Court to invalidate the impeachment complaint against her, accusing the House and Secretary-General Reginald Velasco of seriousness Abuse of discretion when they “reject” the first three complaints to avoid allegedly a judgment. An injunction prohibiting the filing of similar cases.
Read: Petition to Stop Impotence Trial with Supreme Court Vice President Duterte
Hours after the filing, a group of lawyers in Mindanao, officials from Davao City and other supporters of the vice president also asked the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from continuing the improvisation trial.
On February 5, the House impeached each of the four complaints, quickly tracking the process and sending the complaint to the Senate for trial.
Complaints accused her of unconstitutional violations, bribery, corruption and corruption, and betrayal of public trust, including her alleged abuse of confidential funds and the alleged death of President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and a spokesperson Threat Martin Romualdez.
She has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and said her actions were politically motivated to be shot each in a painful rift with Marcos.
Tro's Prayer
In a 36-page certificate and injunction, Duterte also asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the Senate from continuing the impeachment trial, which would prohibit her from serving in public office.
Duterte is represented by Sheila Sison, chief legal counsel for the law firms of Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar, while part of her defense team is her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The petition, GR No. 278353, was filed around 9 a.m. Tuesday, that is, her supporters filed a separate copy, and also filed a complaint of impeachment against her.
The House is represented by Romadez and Villasco, and the Senate is represented by Senate President Francis Escudero.
Violate the Constitution
In seeking relief from the High Court, Duterte asked the court to invalidate and put aside the fourth impeachment complaint filed on February 5, believing it violated a constitutional provision that “no flexible lawsuits shall be initiated against the same official in one Once within a year.”
Duterte said the House “deliberately circumvented” the provision when it directed Velasco to allegedly “give them more time” to file a fourth improvisation complaint, even on December 2, 12 Three prior impropriety complaints were filed earlier on the 2nd of the month. 19 last year.
Shortly after Congress adjourned the fourth improvisation complaint, after it was finally recognized and transmitted to the Senate, the first three complaints were archived.
Velasco interview
“The reasons for waiting for the fourth improvisation each complaint are not a secret – allowing the House and its members to collect the required number of signatures to come to the railway improvisation each process.”
It noted that even if Congress adjourned on December 18 or 16 days after the lawsuit was filed, Velasco did not pass any of them to Romualdez, even if Congress reconciled on December 18 or 14 days after the lawsuit was filed.
Strong 2028 competitors
The petition quotes several media interviews with Velasco, who acknowledged that some MPs asked him not to forward any of the first three improvisation complaints to Romualdez to “give them more time to endorse any one, merge any one , or file a fourth place. Impotence each complaint.”
“This political strategy comes at the expense of constitutional standards…the ultimate goal is to disqualify the petitioner from any national election office forever,” she added in the petition.
Duterte, the daughter of the country's former Fire Card leader, is seen as a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Desperate move
House members criticized Duterte's petition as a “despair and unfounded” move to evade accountability.
“The Constitution is clear – the violation is the only privilege of Congress,” said senior deputy speaker and Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., a senior deputy speaker and Pan ampanga. “They are now scared… maybe the allegations of corruption are true, especially given the possibility of her bank record.”
Quezon's deputy speaker David Suarez said Duterte's latest move “panic and blatant efforts to undermine the improvisation process, even before it officially begins.”
“Stunning hypocrisy”
“If she really believes she is innocent, she should face the charges head-on rather than running to the court for protection. This attempt to shorten the process will only raise more questions about the issues she is trying to hide,” he said .
House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre also slammed Duterte for her impeachment’s “amazing hypocrisy”, what she called “a pain than breaking up with her boyfriend or girlfriend Not that painful.”
“Just a few months ago, she announced that she welcomed the improvisation each complaint. Now, she is pulling all the tricks in the book to stop it from moving forward. If she really has nothing to hide, why suddenly fear?” Acid ask.
Opposition MPs shared their sentiment, saying Duterte's attempt to obtain a TRO from the High Court was “not only too early, but also blatantly evading accountability.”
Avoidance mode
“The Vice President’s move to suspend the impeachment trial… clearly shows that she refuses to face her allegations at the appropriate location, [which] It's the impeachment court, not the Supreme Court. By resorting to legal manipulation, she is strengthening the disturbing model of avoiding responsibility.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas added: “Whatever happened in her earlier statement welcomes impeachment and prepares her defense team? Apparently, she is evading herself If it's not. “
