The Supreme Court’s (SC) dismissal of the two consolidated petitions that challenged the House Committee on Justice's impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte proves that no official in the country is above accountability.

Thus, said justice panel chairperson Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, who hailed the High Court's ruling on Wednesday night, Aug. 5.

"Malugod naming tinatanggap ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na nagbabasura sa mga petisyong humahamon sa proseso ng impeachment laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte sa House of Representatives," Luistro said.

(We warmly welcome the SC's decision dismissing the petitions challenging the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte in the House of Representatives.)

"Pinagtibay ng desisyong ito ang mga mekanismo ng ating Saligang Batas sa ilalim ng ating demokratikong sistema. Pinalalakas din nito ang pundamental na prinsipyo na walang lingkod-bayan--kahit pa ang ikalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa--ang nakatataas sa pananagutan," said the second-termer.

(This decision affirms the mechanisms of our Constitution under our democratic system. It also strengthens the fundamental principle that no public servant—even the second highest official of the country—is above accountability.)

Luistro is currently leading the 26-member House prosecution team in the effort to gain a conviction on Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.

The ongoing impeachment trial was a direct result of the House of Representatives' May 11 impeachment of Duterte, which in turn was facilitated by the justice panel's scrutinization of the four impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President this year.

Luistro said: "Sa pagkilala ng Korte Suprema na naging "moot" ito matapos padala ang articles of impeachment sa Senado, kinumpirma rin nito na maaaring nagpatuloy ang proseso ng paghuhukom at paghingi ng hustisya ng mga mamamayan."

(By recognizing that the matter became moot after the articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate, the Court confirmed that the process of judgment and the people’s pursuit of justice could continue.)

She called on Filipinos to respect the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and allow the impeachment court to fulfill its mandate "with full independence, fairness, and impartiality".

"Ang lakas ng ating demokrasya ay nakasalalay sa ating sama-samang pagtaguyod sa kaayusang konstitusyonal at due process," said the lead prosecutor.

(The strength of our democracy rests on our collective commitment to constitutional order and due process.)

"Higit na masisilbihan ang hustisya kung ang ating mga institusyon ay malayang mäkatutupad sa kanilang mga túngkulin ayon sa Konstitusyon, nang may integridad, kalayaan, akalayaan, at hindì natitinag na katapatan sa batas," Luistro further said.

(Justice will be better served if our institutions can freely carry out their duties under the Constitution with integrity, independence, freedom, and unwavering fidelity to the law.)

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero is presiding over the Senate impeachment trial. Thirteen hearings have been carried out so far.

Vice President Duterte's conviction is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.