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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Makabayan solons: 'SC has rewritten rules to favor impeachable execs'

Makabayan solons: 'SC has rewritten rules to favor impeachable execs'

Published Jan 29, 2026 03:50 pm

At A Glance

  • The Supreme Court (SC) has effectively "rewritten the rules for impeachment in favor of the impeachable officials like the President and Vice President", the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives said on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (center) and the rest of the Makabayan bloc (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio (center) and the rest of the Makabayan bloc (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


The Supreme Court (SC) has effectively "rewritten the rules for impeachment in favor of the impeachable officials like the President and Vice President", the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives said on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 29.
The militant congressmen had this to say following the SC En Banc's decision to deny with finality the House of Representatives' motion for reconsideration (MR) against the high court's earlier ruling that declared the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional.
"The [SC] final ruling effectively disables the so-called 'fast track mode' of impeachment that the House leadership attempted to use in processing the impeachment complaint against the Vice President," the Makabayan said in a joint statement, referring to events in the previous 19th Congress.
"With this ruling, the SC made future impeachment proceedings more difficult. The means to hold accountable the highest officials of the land, through the 1/3 vote of the House of Representatives, will now be even more difficult for citizens to pursue," they said.
At any rate, bloc members ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co appeared unfazed by the development.
"Despite this adverse ruling, we believe that the issues raised in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte—including her alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes—remain valid and must be addressed through the proper constitutional process.
"The Makabayan bloc is now prepared to refile the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte because it is necessary and in the interest of the Filipino people," they said, reiterating a declaration they made last Monday, Jan. 26.
They reckoned that Vice President Duterte "must be held accountable for her actions and omissions that have violated the public trust".
"The confidential funds scandal, the misuse of public resources, and the pattern of abuse of authority cannot be swept under the rug simply because of procedural technicalities," the trio said.
The one-year ban on the filing of impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte will lapse on Feb. 6.
"The Filipino people deserve answers. They deserve accountability. And they deserve a Vice President who respects the Constitution and serves the public interest, not personal or political agendas," the Makabayan solons said.
"The Makabayan bloc, together with concerned citizens and progressive organizations, will continue to pursue all legal and constitutional remedies to ensure that Vice President Duterte faces the charges against her," they added.
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