Sara Duterte's lawyers file comment on House impeachment MR
This was confirmed by Atty. Michael Poa, noting that the comment or opposition of Duterte's defense team was filed before the SC on Monday afternoon.
'In deference to the sub judice rule and out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be granting media interviews or issuing further statements at this time,' Poa told reporters.
GMA News Online is trying to secure a copy of the defense's comment/opposition and will update this story once available.
To recall, the high court declared the articles of impeachment against Duterte unconstitutional, stressing that it is barred by the one-year rule under the Constitution and that it violates her right to due process.
The SC, however, said it is not absolving Duterte from any of the charges against her and that any subsequent impeachment complaint may be filed starting February 6, 2026.
The House of Representatives, through the Office of the Solicitor General, filed a motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse the SC decision. The House argued it should be allowed to perform its exclusive duty to prosecute an impeachable official, and the Senate's to try the case.
Other motions for reconsideration have also been filed with the SC against its ruling.
On August 6, the Senate voted 19-4-1 to transfer to the archives the articles of impeachment against Duterte.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Vice President was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Duterte, in return, had entered a 'not guilty' plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her, which she called merely a 'scrap of paper.' —KG, GMA Integrated News
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