Impeachment an Impossible Dream After Supreme Court Ruling — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Thursday that impeachment has effectively become unrealistic following the Supreme Court’s decision nullifying the case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Thursday that impeachment has effectively become an “impossible dream” following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte. According to Sotto, the decision has significantly altered how impeachment proceedings can be pursued and has narrowed the authority of Congress under the Constitution.

In remarks to reporters, Sotto took issue with the High Court’s ruling, describing it as an act of judicial legislation that intrudes into powers constitutionally vested in the legislative branch. He argued that impeachment is a political process entrusted to Congress and that the Court exceeded its mandate by laying down rules that lawmakers must follow in carrying out this function.

Sotto said the Supreme Court itself acknowledged in its decision that it introduced standards for Congress to observe in the conduct of impeachment. He maintained that such action amounts to an encroachment on legislative authority, stressing that impeachment procedures are explicitly provided for in the Constitution. Given the Court’s interpretation, he added, pursuing impeachment under the current legal framework is no longer realistic.

The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s August 2025 decision that declared unconstitutional the impeachment complaint initiated by the House against Vice President Duterte. That ruling was reaffirmed on Thursday after the Court, sitting en banc, denied with finality the House’s motion for reconsideration, effectively closing the door on any attempt to revive the case.

Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting announced that the motion was denied unanimously by all justices who took part in the deliberations. She explained that the Court upheld its earlier finding that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025, violated Article XI, Section 3, Subsection 5 of the Constitution, which restricts the filing of multiple impeachment complaints against the same official within a specified period.

The decision has prompted differing reactions among political leaders and legal experts. Supporters view it as a constitutional safeguard meant to prevent repeated impeachment attempts, while critics argue that it weakens Congress’ oversight powers and upsets the balance among the branches of government.

Sotto’s statements echo concerns within the Senate about the long-term implications of the ruling, particularly on the scope of legislative authority and the limits of judicial review. As of posting time, the Supreme Court had not issued a separate response to the Senate President’s remarks, and media organizations are seeking further clarification from the Court on its interpretation of impeachment-related provisions.

While the ruling brings finality to the impeachment case against Vice President Duterte, it has also intensified discussions on constitutional boundaries and how future impeachment efforts may be shaped by judicial precedent.