MANILA, Philippines — The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, voted 18-5 on Tuesday to return the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, following hours of deliberation. The decision does not dismiss or terminate the case but instead places the next move in the hands of the lower chamber.
The motion, introduced by Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano, emphasized that the return of the articles was necessary to ensure proper constitutional procedure. Cayetano clarified that the Senate was not rejecting the impeachment outright but requiring the House to certify that the transmission of the articles adhered to constitutional guidelines.
Voting against the motion were Senators Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Sherwin Gatchalian, who argued that remanding the case to the House could effectively stall the impeachment process.
The complaint against Vice President Duterte, filed by opposition lawmakers earlier this year, alleges abuse of power and violations of key constitutional provisions. The Senate’s decision to return the articles rather than proceed with trial immediately is seen as a procedural safeguard, ensuring due process while avoiding premature judgment.
Meanwhile, as the Senate deliberated on her impeachment case, Vice President Duterte departed for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday for unofficial business with her family, according to the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The OVP stated that Duterte is scheduled to attend the Independence Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur on June 12 and engage in a consultation program with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during her visit.
Her trip to Malaysia follows recent travels to Doha, Qatar, and The Hague, Netherlands for her birthday celebration in May. Notably, Duterte’s departure comes just one day before the Senate is set to convene as an impeachment court on June 11.
With the impeachment proceedings now in limbo, the focus shifts back to the House of Representatives, which must decide whether to reaffirm its case or risk losing momentum in the effort to hold Duterte accountable.
