The House Committee on Justice formally adopt its report and the corresponding Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte during a committee hearing at the House of Representatives, Quezon City, on May 4, 2026. With a unanimous vote, the 55-member panel, chaired by Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro, approved the committee report finding probable cause to impeach the Vice President. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petitions questioning the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte that took place at the House of Representatives, saying the issue has become moot.
The articles of impeachment against Duterte had already been transmitted to the Senate, which is now conducting its trial.
“The SC ruled that the issues raised in the petitions had become moot, or no longer required resolution, because the House had already approved and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate,” the SC said in a statement.
The petitions were filed by Vice President Sara Duterte, lawyer Israelito Torreon and others.
They argued that the House exceeded its constitutional authority by gathering evidence and compelling witnesses to appear during its hearings.
The petitioners also questioned the findings that the complaints were sufficient in form, substance and grounds.
The high court however explained that the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment marked the end of the House’s role in the impeachment process.
“As a result, the actions the petitioner sought to stop had already been completed,” the SC said.
The SC also noted that the impeachment court has already begun its proceedings.
“While the SC recognized that it may, in exceptional cases, decide issues that have become moot, it found that none of the recognized exceptions applied in this case,” the SC said.
The House prosecution panel said the High Court’s ruling removes a major obstacle to the continuation of the impeachment trial in the Senate.
“Makakahinga na tayo na magtutuloy-tuloy na to at wala na magiging sagabal dito sa impeachment na ginagawa ngayon dito sa Senado,” House prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua said.
Chua said the decision also strengthens the prosecution panel’s resolve to proceed with the presentation of its case.
“Wala nang dahilan para pagdudahan pa natin itong nangyayari ngayon na impeachment hearing at tuloy-tuloy na yung presentation ng prosecution,” he said.
RELATED VIDEOS: