House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday defended the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting it was neither politically motivated nor rushed. Instead, he questioned the Senate’s swift decision to archive the case, describing it as a “remarkably rushed burial” of a still-active constitutional process.
Romualdez stressed that the House acted in accordance with the Constitution when it transmitted the verified impeachment complaint to the Senate. With more than one-third of House members signing the complaint, the measure was automatically sent for trial—bypassing the need for additional committee deliberations or plenary votes.
“The filing of the complaint was not rushed. What was rushed—remarkably—was its burial,” Romualdez said. “We filed out of duty, not out of spite.”
He pointed out that the impeachment process remains pending before the Supreme Court. On August 5, the House filed a motion for reconsideration after the Senate opted to dismiss the complaint, and the Court has since ordered Vice President Duterte and other respondents to file their comments. “This is not a closed issue. The Supreme Court has taken jurisdiction. It is active,” Romualdez emphasized.
The Speaker expressed concern that the Senate’s decision to prematurely terminate the impeachment trial undermines the House’s exclusive power to initiate such proceedings and sends a troubling message about accountability in public office.
“This process was started in the pursuit of truth and public accountability,” he said. “When high-ranking officials evade questions and are shielded from scrutiny, it damages our democratic institutions.”
Romualdez reiterated that the impeachment complaint was meant to seek answers that Vice President Duterte had long refused to provide, especially on controversial issues raised during her tenure. He urged all branches of government to uphold their constitutional mandates and ensure that no public official is above accountability.
