The Supreme Court has declared “unconstitutional” the impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte.

However, in a press briefing on Friday (July 25), SC spokesperson Camille Ting said Duterte may still be charged with another impeachment complaint if the Lower House is able to file one after February 6, 2026.

A unanimous decision was reportedly reached by the SC magistrate in junking the impeachment case.

“The SC has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus VP Sara Duterte is barred by the one year rule and that due process or fairness applies in all stages of the impeachment process,” Ting said.

“Therefore, the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment complaint, noted Ting.

Earlier, Senate President Francis Escudero became the target of heavy criticism for allegedly delaying the impeachment proceedings to be conducted by the Senate impeachment court.

He announced recently that the proceedings will resume on August 4.

Congress is currently on sine die adjournment. Session will resume on Monday when the 20th Congress officially starts with the holding of the State of the Nation Address.

It will be recalled that the Lower House decided to archive several complaints filed by religious, labor and political groups last December, 2025. Three complaints were on separate days last December.

On December 5, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told the media that he was awaiting for the filing of a third complaint being prepared by congressmen.

On December 19, another complaint was filed, accusing Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunmder, and malversation.

Instead, lawmakers opted to send the Senate for decision what the Duterte camp claimed to be the fourth impeachment case containing charges that included corruption, plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., inciting to insurrection and public order.

A total 215 members of the Lower House membership signed the said complaint with Marcos’ son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, leading the signatories.

Aside from claiming that the filed complaint was unconstitutional, the Duterte camp accused the congressmen of being bribed by accepting social welfare funds for distribution to their constituents during the May 2025 campaign period.