The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, once a political firestorm, now faces a ticking clock that could render it moot. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has raised concerns that the Senate’s impending schedule may derail the proceedings entirely.
“If the impeachment case against Sara Duterte starts being heard on June 2, that case is already dead,” Macalintal stated in a recent interview. His warning underscores the procedural hurdles that could impede the trial.
The impeachment complaint, filed on February 5, 2025, accuses Duterte of misusing confidential funds and making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Despite 215 lawmakers endorsing the complaint, surpassing the required one-third of the House, the articles of impeachment have yet to reach the Senate plenary.
Senate President Francis Escudero has invited the House prosecution panel to present the articles on June 2, with the Senate convening as an impeachment court the following day. However, Macalintal points to Rule 44 of the Senate, which states that all pending matters and proceedings die with the adjournment or termination of Congress. This means the incoming Senate, convening after June 30, cannot simply resume the impeachment trial.
“If the new Senate revives it, it would be considered as if it were presented for the first time,” Macalintal explained. The Constitution prohibits filing more than one impeachment case against the same official within a one-year period, potentially blocking any renewed attempt as unconstitutional.
Despite political eagerness among some lawmakers to press forward, Macalintal’s assessment suggests they may have run out of procedural runway. “It’s not just a matter of political will or Senate floor debates,” he said. “It’s a matter of the Senate’s own deadlines and the Constitution’s limits.”
The Office of the Vice President confirmed on May 19 that it had received the Senate’s letter regarding the June 2 proceedings. Duterte’s camp has remained tight-lipped about its defense strategy, with sources indicating a reliance on constitutional defenses to block the trial.
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