MANILA, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Supreme Court (SC) has barred the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, the High Court announced Friday after a special en banc session.
"The SC has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus VP Sara Duterte is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies in all stages of the impeachment process," Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting told a press conference.
"Our fundamental law is clear, the end does not justify the means ... there is a right way to do the right things at the right time," Ting added, quoting the decision, which was unanimous.
The Supreme Court declared the articles of impeachment unconstitutional on due process grounds, and added that because of that, "the Senate cannot acquire jurisdiction" of the proceedings, according to Ting.
"The Court said it is not absolving Vice President Duterte from any of the charges against her, but any subsequent impeachment complaint may only be filed starting February 6, 2026," Ting said.
There's a one-year bar rule in the 1987 Constitution, which states that "impeachment proceedings cannot be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year." ■
