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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate asks SC to be excused to comment on VP Sara's petition vs her impeachment

Senate asks SC to be excused to comment on VP Sara's petition vs her impeachment

Published Mar 6, 2025 09:45 am

The Senate on Thursday, March 6, filed a manifestation asking the Supreme Court (SC) that "it be excused from submitting the comment" on the petition of Vice President Sara Duterte, who sought the nullification of the impeachment charges filed against her.

Senate requires medical certificate from resource persons, visitors
Senate of the Philippines

In a filing with the High Court, the Senate, through its legal counsel Maria Valentina Cruz, submitted a Manifestation Ad Cautelam “in lieu of the required comment,” citing the Constitution that explicitly directs the upper chamber to convene as an Impeachment Court to hear and decide on cases involving impeachable officials.

The Upper Chamber said it has the sole authority to decide on impeachment cases in accordance with its mandate under the 1987 Constitution and thus cannot comment on the petition filed by the Vice President before the SC.

“Respondent Senate, which has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment under the Constitution, cannot therefore possibly make a comment on the Petition and thus, asks the Honorable Court that it be excused from submitting the comment,” the Senate said in the pleading

“Respondent Senate further requests that this Manifestation Ad Cautelam be admitted in lieu of the required be considered as compliance with the En Banc Resolution dated February 25, 2025,” it added.

A Manifestation Ad Cautelam is a declaration made “out of caution” as a response to a petition filed in court.

Copies of the Senate’s manifestation were furnished to the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law office, which serves as counsel for Duterte; the House of Representatives, through Speaker Martin Romualdez; House Secretary General Reginald Velasco; and the Office of the Solicitor General.

To recall, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the SC required the House of Representatives and its Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco, and the Senate to submit their comments in a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice.

In her petition filed last Feb. 18, Duterte alleged that the fourth impeachment complaint filed before the House of Representatives which forwarded it to the Senate violated Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution which states that no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.

The impeachment charges were filed by the House of Representatives before the Senate last Feb. 5, the day the latter declared its recess for the 2025 elections.

Related Tags

Supreme Court (SC) Senate of the Philippines Impeachment complaint Vice President Sara Duterte
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