There’s a lot of serious arguing happening right now between two big government groups: the House of Representatives and the Senate. And it’s all about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
The House of Representatives is like a big group of lawmakers. They’re saying, “Hold on, Senate! Don’t vote yet on VP Sara’s trial! We still need to talk to the Supreme Court!”
⚖️ What’s the Fight About?
Here’s what’s going on, step by step:
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The House wanted VP Sara Duterte to go on trial. They said she did something wrong, and they filed something called “Articles of Impeachment.”
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But then, the Supreme Court (the country’s top judges) stepped in and said, “Nope! This impeachment is not allowed!” They said the House broke some rules in the Constitution—like trying to impeach her too soon and not giving her fair treatment.
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Because of that, the Senate, who acts like the judge in an impeachment trial, is getting ready to vote on whether to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling and cancel the trial.
🏛️ House Says: “Wait for the Final Answer!”
The House is not happy. They said the Supreme Court’s decision isn’t final yet, and they plan to ask the Court to take another look—this is called a Motion for Reconsideration.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante warned the Senate:
“Please be patient. Let’s finish the court process first. If you vote now, it could hurt the House’s power and the whole impeachment system.”
She added that the House will use every legal way to make sure they follow the rules and hold people accountable if they do wrong.
🧑⚖️ What the Senate Plans to Do
Senate President Chiz Escudero said they will talk about the Court’s decision on Wednesday, August 6.
Some senators, like Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said about 19 or 20 senators might agree to follow the Court’s ruling and cancel the trial. That’s a big number—more than enough to decide.
But the House is worried. They said:
“If the Senate votes too early, it might look like they’re ignoring the law. Worse, it could look like they’re taking a shortcut just to protect the Vice President.”
📜 What the Supreme Court Said
The Supreme Court judges voted 13-0, with 2 not voting. They said:
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The impeachment was filed too early, breaking the “one-year rule” in the Constitution.
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VP Sara was not given enough time or fairness—breaking her right to due process.
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So, the Senate can’t hold the trial now.
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But… they’re not saying VP Sara is innocent. Another impeachment can still happen in February 2026.
⚠️ Reactions: Some Say “Respect the Court,” Others Want to Fight
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Senator Risa Hontiveros said they’re talking with former judges to get advice on what to do next.
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Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said:
“I’m not a lawyer, but I follow and respect the Supreme Court. I won’t sign anything that questions their ruling.”
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The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)—a group of lawyers—also said:
“Don’t fight the Court’s decision. Doing so is dangerous for our democracy. The Constitution doesn’t say we all have to agree, but it does say we all have to follow the rules.”
🧠 Why It Matters
This is not just about VP Sara Duterte. It’s also about how the different parts of our government follow the law. The House wants to make sure their powers aren’t ignored, and the Senate wants to follow the Supreme Court. Everyone is watching closely to see what happens next.
Stay tuned—this is one political drama that’s far from over.
