Duterte Impeachment Stalled as Senate Returns Case to House

Duterte Impeachment Stalled as Senate Returns Case to House

By Wilma N. Yamzon  – TheNationweek.com 
June 11, 2025  

MANILA, Philippines—In a dramatic move that throws the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte into uncertainty, the Senate voted 18-5 on Tuesday to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives.

The decision, framed as a procedural step by proponents, has ignited speculation about the true motives behind the Senate’s action and the future of Duterte’s vice presidency.

The motion to return the case was spearheaded by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, a former ally of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

Cayetano insisted that the vote should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the charges against Duterte.

“This decision does not equate to a final resolution,” he explained, leaving the door open for further action by the House.

The move, however, was met with resistance from a vocal minority in the Senate, including Senators Koko Pimentel, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Their opposition underscores the deep divisions within the Senate on the impeachment and the potential political fallout.

The Senate’s decision followed intense debate sparked by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s initial proposal to dismiss the impeachment proceedings altogether.

Dela Rosa argued that “constitutional issues and questions surrounding the jurisdiction and authority of the 20th Congress” justified such a drastic measure.

Sen. Bong Go, a close associate of the President, offered a more cautious approach, suggesting the return of the articles to the House for further review.

“Our aim in this trial is to pursue justice, not politics,” Go stated, pushing for a thorough assessment of the case to avoid both undue delays and hasty judgments.

Cayetano backed Go’s suggestion, amending Dela Rosa’s motion to call for the return of the case rather than outright dismissal. This tactical maneuver effectively keeps the impeachment process alive, albeit in a state of limbo.

A Barrage of Impeachment Complaints

The impeachment saga began in December 2024, when a series of complaints were filed against Vice President Duterte.

The initial complaint, lodged on Dec. 2, listed 24 articles alleging graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

These included accusations of involvement in extrajudicial killings during her father’s “war on drugs” and failure to take a firm stance against China’s claims in the South China Sea.

A second complaint, filed just two days later by 70 activists from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, focused on the alleged illegal use and mishandling of confidential funds, accusing Duterte of “gross abuse of discretionary powers” over the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education’s ₱612.5 million confidential funds.

A third complaint, initiated by members of the House, followed on Dec. 19, citing betrayal of public trust.

The culmination of these efforts came on Feb. 5, 2025, when a sweeping impeachment complaint, signed by 215 members of the House, was formally transmitted to the Senate.

The charges included corruption, plotting to assassinate the President, involvement in extrajudicial killings, and incitement to insurrection and public disorder. This marked the fourth complaint against Duterte and officially constituted the Articles of Impeachment.

Significantly, the list of signatories included Marcos’ son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, signaling a potential rift within the ruling coalition.

While a majority of representatives from Mindanao supported the impeachment, only one representative from Duterte’s native Davao Region, John Tracy Cagas, signed the complaint.

A Glimpse into the Charges

While the full details of all articles remain under scrutiny, key allegations include:

– Bribery: Accusations that Duterte bribed high-ranking Department of Education officials.

– Extrajudicial Killings: Allegations of involvement in extrajudicial killings linked to the vice president’s father’s “war on drugs,” including connections to the Davao Death Squad.

What’s Next?

The Senate’s decision leaves the future of the impeachment proceedings uncertain. The House of Representatives now faces the decision of whether to revisit the articles of impeachment, potentially amending or adding to the charges, or to abandon the effort altogether.

The political implications of the case are significant. The impeachment of a sitting vice president is an unprecedented event in Philippine history, and the outcome could have a profound impact on the country’s political landscape.

As the case returns to the House, all eyes will be on the evolving dynamics within the ruling coalition and the potential for further political maneuvering.