Vice President Sara Duterte, October 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — After the House of Representatives certified that Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment did not violate the constitution, the chamber must comply with one more demand by the Senate impeachment court, its spokesperson said Thursday.

Just hours after senators had taken their oaths as jurors on Tuesday, the Senate on Tuesday night voted 18-5 to remand the articles of impeachment to the House until it can certify that it had not violated the constitution by hearing three impeachment complaints before the one that ultimately went to a vote. The Senate also ordered the House of the 20th Congress to confirm that it still wants to pursue the impeachment trial.  

On Wednesday night, the House adopted a resolution certifying that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte fully complied with the constitution, including the filings of the first three complaints.

“It seems that they have already tried to accomplish the first compliance that has been put in order,” said impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol.

“At yung pangalawa na lang na kailangan nilang mag-adopt ng resolution na yung 20th Congress ratifying the actions of the 19th Congress in terms of transmitting the verified complaint saka yung pagpapatuloy ng verified complaint,” he said. 

“When they will be able to give it, of course siyempre, ini-expect naman natin na ‘pag nagkaroon na ng session yung 20th Congress,” Tongol told DZMM. 

'No one can stop' Duterte impeachment trial: House prosecutors

Members of the 19th Congress will end their term on June 30. Both Houses marked their last session day on Wednesday.

The 20th Congress will open on July 28, on the day of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Asked when the public could expect the impeachment trial proper, Tongol said, “Mukhang after [the SONA] na po mangyayari yun.” 

He said the pace of the trial proper will depend on the House. 

“Pero from the looks of it naman po, mabilis nilang tina-try i-comply [ang mga Senate order], so mukha naman pong desidido rin sila na magpatuloy,” he said. 

Senate's move to return articles of impeachment is 'deeply concerning': Romualdez

In the meantime, Duterte’s office received Wednesday the Senate impeachment court's writ of summons ordering her to respond within 10 days of receipt to the articles of impeachment transmitted by the House. 

“Kapag nag-answer na si Vice President Sara tapos magreply na yung kabila or mag-file sila ng any motion within that period, the impeachment court would have to look at their filings and see kung anong order ang mai-issue nila,” Tongol said.

Escudero says Senate impeachment court accomplished its 'targets'

Tongol said he believed the Supreme Court would not prevent the impeachment trial from crossing over to the 20th Congress. 

“Kaming mga abogado po, naniniwala po kami na kapag gusto po ng Korte Supreme na maglabas, makialam na at naipakita ng petitioner na mayroon ngang pagmamalabis ang isang branch ng government ay nakagawa na po ‘yan ng aksyon. Pero nakita naman po natin na ever since nag-file ng mga petisyon, wala naman pong action ang Korte Suprema,” he said.

“I think the Supreme Court is exercising judicial restraint dahil ayaw niyang makisawsaw sa isang political process hanggang hindi kinakailangan,” he added. 

Supreme Court asked to prevent continuation of impeachment from 19th to 20th Congress