THE Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions filed by Vice President Sara Duterte and lawyer Israelito P. Torreon that sought to halt impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives. In a resolution issued by the Court en banc on Wednesday, the High Tribunal ruled that the petitions had become moot following the formal transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
The Court explained that once the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment, the House’s role in the process came to an end, and the case properly began before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. Since the Senate had already convened and commenced proceedings, any ruling on the legality of actions taken by the House Committee on Justice could no longer produce practical legal effect. The petitions had specifically challenged the committee’s authority to gather evidence, compel witnesses, and determine that the complaints were sufficient in form, substance, and grounds during the preliminary stages.
The Supreme Court further declined to invoke exceptions to the mootness doctrine, finding that none applied despite the constitutional issues raised by the petitioners. The ruling effectively removes the last judicial obstacle to the impeachment process, confirming that the Senate now holds exclusive authority under the Constitution to try and decide the case. With the petitions dismissed, the impeachment trial proceeds free from further judicial interference, leaving the matter entirely in the hands of the Senate Impeachment Court.
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