HOUSE of Representatives spokesperson Princess Abante confirmed Monday that the House of Representatives has received Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the impeachment articles filed against her.
A messenger from the Fortun, Narvasa & Salazar law firm delivered a copy of Duterte’s “Answer Ad Cautelam” to the House at 3:53 p.m.
In her response, Duterte argues that the impeachment complaint is void from the outset due to a violation of the 1987 Constitution’s one-year limitation on impeachment proceedings against the same official. This argument, previously raised before the Supreme Court in February 2025, centers on Section 3(5) of Article XI, which prohibits initiating more than one impeachment proceeding within a year.
However, House representatives have countered this argument, asserting that the one-year ban had not yet commenced when the impeachment complaint was filed on February 5, 2025.
Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora explained that the one-year prohibition begins only after charges are transmitted to the House committee on justice, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Francisco v. House of Representatives.
Zamora further emphasized that the House adhered to constitutional and House rules, calendaring the impeachment complaints within the mandated 10 session days.
She noted that the three previous complaints filed in December 2024 were archived, and the fourth complaint, a consolidation of the three, was adopted without objection from petitioners.
The impeachment complaint, signed by 215 lawmakers, triggered the immediate referral to the Senate, fulfilling the constitutional requirement of one-third of House members.
While the trial did not commence before the session adjournment for the election break, the House maintains its compliance with constitutional procedures. The articles of impeachment allege misuse of confidential funds and threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Representative Romualdez. The House will now proceed to review Vice President Duterte’s response.
