The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down the fourth impeachment complaint filed against her, calling the high court’s decision a reaffirmation of constitutional safeguards against abuse of the process.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court declared the impeachment complaint unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the filing of more than one impeachment case against the same official within a year.

In a statement, Duterte’s legal team said the Supreme Court’s decision backs what they had been saying the entire time.

“The decision of the Honorable Court affirms what we had maintained from the outset — that the fourth impeachment complaint is constitutionally infirm,” they said.

The defense said the SC ruling not only vindicates Vice President Duterte but also reinforces the legal boundaries set by the Constitution to prevent political harassment.

“This unanimous Decision has once again upheld the rule of law and reinforced the constitutional limits against abuse of the impeachment process,” they added.

Despite this, the defense team reiterated that the Vice President remains ready to respond to the allegations raised in the complaint.

“We remain prepared to address the allegations at the proper time and before the appropriate forum,” they said.

The SC ruling prevents further deliberation or consideration of the case, effectively removing the threat of impeachment until the one-year bar lapses.

The Law Firm of Torreon and Partners, counsel for the petitioners who questioned the constitutionality of the impeachment complaint, called the Supreme Court’s decision a resounding triumph of due process and constitutional order.

“We welcome and fully support the Court's decision, which upholds the rule of law, protects the integrity of our democratic institutions, and reaffirms that indeed, the end does not justify the means,” founding partner Israelito Torreon said.

The law firm stressed that the impeachment complaint was procedurally and constitutionally flawed from the beginning. They said it was never properly referred to the House Committee on Justice and was instead signed en masse by 215 House members “without even reading the complaint.”

“This gross irregularity struck at the heart of the due process guarantees enshrined in our Constitution,” Torreon said.

“Impeachment is a grave constitutional mechanism… It cannot be reduced to a partisan tool nor serve as leverage for budgetary favors or electoral gain,” he added.

The firm said the ruling sends a strong message that the Constitution must be followed even when politically inconvenient, and thanked the Supreme Court for “standing as the final sentinel of constitutional rights.”

“Let this serve as a lasting reminder: the rule of law must never be sacrificed on the altar of expediency. Let us now return our attention to the greater challenges facing the nation and pursue unity through justice, not division through haste,” Torreon said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang called on the public to respect the Supreme Court.

“We have yet to review the full text of the Supreme Court’s decision. We call on everyone to respect the Supreme Court and place their trust in our institutions,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

“The impeachment process is a matter handled by the legislative and judicial branches, and we recognize their independence in carrying out their constitutional mandates,” she added.