SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada revealed that a significant majority of senators favor complying with the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Following the Supreme Court’s July 25th ruling that the Senate lacked jurisdiction over the “unconstitutional” impeachment complaint, Estrada stated on Thursday that an overwhelming majority—19 or 20 out of 24 senators—expressed their intention to abide by the Court’s decision during a recent caucus.
The Court’s ruling cited violations of the Constitution’s one-year bar on multiple impeachment complaints against the same official and procedural due process violations by the House of Representatives.
The Senate is scheduled to formally decide on August 6th whether to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling. Given Estrada’s assessment of the senators’ sentiments, it is highly probable that the Senate will uphold the Supreme Court’s decision, effectively ending the impeachment proceedings.
This outcome would likely bring an end to the legal challenge to the Vice President, though the potential for further legal action remains a possibility.
