Dennis Gaviola

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III answers questions during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City on October 6, 2025.
Sotto states that he respects “whatever decision” Senator Panfilo Lacson makes regarding his planned resignation as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. He also expresses confidence in the stability of the Senate and affirms that its leadership remains well in place, asserting that both the minority and majority blocs are intact.
The Senate President also shares that he and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian plan to push for the banning of unprogrammed funds in future budget deliberations.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE LEADERSHIP- SOTTO

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III considers the Supreme Court ruling on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte a &quot;clear encroachment&quot; on the power of the legislative branch, which the Constitution tasks with initiating and trying impeachment cases.</p><p>In a statement, Sotto said the Supreme Court ruling is a misinterpretation of the law that he said amends the Constitution &quot;through Supreme Court overreach.&quot;</p><p>He added that the supposed misinterpretation would take &quot;decades of retirements to correct.&quot; </p><p>The Supreme Court in July 2025 agreed and blocked the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte, saying it violated a constitutional provision against multiple impeachment proceedings within a single year.</p><p>It said a fresh impeachment attempt could be introduced by February 6, 2026.</p><p>The court affirmed its decision in a ruling released Thursday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/29/supreme-court-affirms-sara-duterte-impeachment-unconstitutional-1427">Supreme Court affirms Sara Duterte impeachment unconstitutional</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>SC RULES ON IMPEACHMENT &#x27;AN ENCROACHMENT&#x27; ON CONGRESS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Sotto also said he believes the Supreme Court encroached on the power of the legislative branch when it introduced rules for Congress to follow in the conduct of impeachment.</p><p>&quot;The decision is a clear judicial legislation. The SC, as written in their decision, admitted of introducing a rule for Congress to follow in the conduct of impeachment. A clear encroachment on the power of the legislative branch, as provided for by the Constitution. Impeachment is now an impossible dream!&quot; he added.</p><p>The Supreme Court had raised questions of due process in the impeachment proceedings, which the House had voted to adopt and send directly to the Senate for trial.</p><p>It said in its July 2025 ruling that the House is required to provide the respondent with a copy of the Articles of Impeachment and the evidence supporting it to give them the opportunity to respond.</p><p>It also said the Articles of Impeachment and the evidence should be made available to all members of the House, not just those who would likely endorse it.</p><p>&quot;Thus, there must be some modicum of deliberation so that each member representing their constituents can be heard and thus convince others of their position,&quot; the Supreme Court Public Information Office said in a press release last July.</p>

<p>Senate President Vicente Sotto III considers the Supreme Court ruling on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte a "clear encroachment" on the power of the Legislative branch.</p>

Senate President Vicente Sotto III considers the Supreme Court ruling on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte a "clear encroachment" on the power of the Legislative branch.

Sotto calls SC ruling on Duterte impeachment 'clear encroachment' on power of Congress

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Sotto calls SC ruling on Duterte impeachment 'clear encroachment' on power of Congress

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 29, 2026 07:45 PM PHT

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Senate

Sara Duterte

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