The Supreme Court’s (SC) affirmation of its earlier decision to junk Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment serves as a validation for congressmen who chose restraint despite political pressure.

Thus, said Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal in a statement Friday, Jan. 30.

“The SC’s final and unanimous ruling on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte brings closure to a chapter that weighed heavily not only on the institution of Congress, but also on those who chose to stand by principle rather than pressure,” said Nazal.

In February 2025, during the 19th Congress, then-BH Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera was among the few lawmakers who declined to sign the articles of impeachment against the Vice President.

“That decision came at a cost,” said Herrera, who noted that their position was unpopular and faced resistance within the House. “We stood by our judgment because our oath demanded nothing less.”

“A vote against the impeachment was not a vote for any individual. It was a vote for constitutional restraint, institutional integrity, and the rule of law,” she added.

Herrera said the high tribunal’s action on Thursday confirmed the constitutional issues they raised at the outset.

“The SC has now spoken with finality, declaring that the impeachment articles were constitutionally infirm and that the Senate never acquired jurisdiction,” she said. “This ruling is not about political victory. It is about the supremacy of the Constitution.”

Nazal said the decision highlights the limits of political power in a democratic system.

“In a democracy, numbers alone do not make an action right. A supermajority cannot justify every course of action, especially when it runs contrary to the Constitution,” he said.

“Power must always be exercised with limits. Consensus must never replace conscience, and political momentum must never override the rule of law," noted the BH solon in the current 19th Congress.

Nazal said the outcome should serve as guidance for public officials and reassurance to the public.

“Our highest duty is to the Constitution and to the public trust, even when the pressure to conform is heavy,” he said. “Standing for what is right, even when one stands almost alone, still matters in a democracy.”

Herrera said the SC’s final ruling should allow institutions to move forward.

“Now that the Court has settled the issue with finality, it is time for all of us to move forward, refocus on the urgent concerns of our people, and rebuild a spirit of mutual respect in public service,” she said.