At least 19 senators will honor the Supreme Court ruling declaring as “unconstitutional” the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte and will not allow her trial to take place.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said the number may actually include one more.

Estrada said that based on discussions during the senators’ caucus held Tuesday, there appeared to be a good majority of the total Senate membership will adhere to the SC’s decision.

“Unang-una sa body language, pangalawa sa salita nila, mahahalata naman kung sino,” Estrada told Senate reporters during an interview.

Although the SC ruling on the issue was unanimous at 13-0, political enemies of Duterte have aired their strong objection to the decision that the Articles of Impeachment sent by the Lower House to the Senate is unconstitutional and failed to observe due process.

The High Tribunal also ruled that since the complaint was unconstitutional the Senate cannot acquire jurisdiction on the case.

Senate President Francis Escudero aired his personal stand on the issue, saying that the High Court’s ruling should be followed. He warned that non-compliance will only result to “a constitutional crisis.”

Estrada supported Escudero’s stand, pointing out that the decision is immediately executory notwithstanding the reported decision of the Lower House leadership to file a motion for reconsideration to the unanimous decision.


According to Estrada holding any proceedings with the Senate acting as an impeachment court will be violative of the High Court’s ruling.

“Ang desisyon ng Supreme Court, the Senate has no jurisdiction, dahil unconstitutional ang pinile ng House of Representatives. We don’t have any jurisdiciton anymore and the Senate will not convene as the impeachment court because we don;’t have the jurisdiction,” the Senate official stated.

The bid to impeach Duterte has triggered serious accusations between the camps of the vice president and that of Speaker Martin Romualdez, two of the political leaders who are expected to seek the presidency in 2028.