Senate Archived VP Sara’s Impeachment

The Senate has decided on August 6, the fate of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte to its archives.

Voting 19-4-1, the Senate has archived the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, and that the Senate will not be swayed by political allegiance and ambition.

“Let history record that at this moment, we chose the Constitution. We chose the rule of law by defending the integrity of the Supreme Court and maintaining the system of checks and balances”. The Senate President said.

“Let this chamber be remembered not for the passions we inflamed, but for the principles we upheld.” Escudero added. 

“The motion of Senator (Rodante) Marcoleta, as amended by Senator (Joel) Villanueva, adhering to the immediately executory decision rendered by the Supreme Court en banc  to transfer the articles of impeachment to the archives, the same is hereby approved”. As declared by the Senate President.

Those who voted in favor of the motion are Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, his sister Pia Cayetano,Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, SP Escudero, SP Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher Bong Go, Lito Lapid. Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, the Tulfo brothers Erwin and Raffy, Majority Floor Leader Joel, Camille and Mark Villar, and Former SP Juan Miguel Zubiri. 

Those who were against the motion are Senators Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Vicente Sotto III.

Only Senator Panfilo Lacson abstained.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III pushed that voting for the motion to archive the impeachment should wait until the final ruling of the Supreme Court, since the House of Representatives has filed a motion of reconsideration.

“I know for a fact, once it is archived, it is dead”. Said Sotto

The veteran lawmaker and former Senate President stressed that future impeachment proceedings may be affected after how the Senate of the 20th Congress tackled Duterte’s case.

Meanwhile, the President’s own sister, Senator Imee Marcos, one of the VP’s staunch supporter despite the ongoing feud between the two Political dynasties, supported the motion to archive the case and even lashed out on her cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez, whom she is at odds with.

“Sa mga mahal kong kongresista, may suggestion po ako. Suggestion lang naman. Huwag nyong masamain. Kesa inaatupag nyong palitan ang pinili ng taumbayan, ibinoto at minahal, bakit di nyo na lang palitan ang tao na kayo lang naman ang pumili?” said the Senator urging the representatives to elect a new House Speaker.

Senator Christopher Bong Go, another Duterte supporter, calls for the senate to “move on” after the motion and to focus on their mandate.

VP Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, but in June the Senate postponed the trial and formally returned the Articles to the Lower House. The Supreme Court ruled on July 25, the impeachment case unconstitutional, declaring it “void ab initio” and asserting that no second impeachment complaint could be filed against the same official within one year.

Duterte is the first Vice President of the country to be impeached. She was charged with graft and corruption regarding the misused confidential funds when she was the Secretary of Education, and her assassination threats towards President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The complaint, though archived, is not yet dismissed. The case can be reopened, if there are some changes such as the pending motion of reconsideration. 

Lawmakers have to wait to file a new impeachment complaint until February 6, 2026, due to the constitutional one year ban.

Many view the delay in the case, as it may boost VP Sara’s chance in 2028 for the Presidential Election.