Religious organizations triumph in Supreme Court's decision on impeachment case judgement
The impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte has been halted following the Supreme Court's declaration on July 25, 2025, that the impeachment complaint was unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the complaint violated the one-year bar rule of the Constitution and barred any attempt to proceed with the impeachment trial until February 6, 2026 [1][3].
The Senate, however, is scheduled to vote on August 6, 2025, on whether to officially abide by the Supreme Court ruling or pursue an appeal. Some senators have expressed intentions to appeal the decision or consider motions for reconsideration, but the majority agree that the Senate must abide by the Court’s ruling to avoid a constitutional crisis [3].
Vice President Duterte remains in office and was the first Philippine vice president to be subjected to an impeachment complaint, but no final verdict has been reached due to the Supreme Court’s intervention [1].
Amidst this, the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT) has expressed its concern over the Supreme Court's decision. The CLCNT, composed of leaders from the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), and the Catholic Church, among others, believes that the impeachment trial is necessary to investigate alleged abuses of power and potential corruption [2].
The CLCNT criticized the Supreme Court's decision, stating that it disregards the alleged abuses of power and potential corruption that necessitate thorough investigation. The council is concerned that the Supreme Court's decision undermines public trust and erodes the foundation of democracy [2].
The CLCNT urges the Senate to exercise its independence and preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The council believes that the Senate has the authority to preside on the impeachment trial, as stated in the Constitution [2]. The CLCNT's stance is in response to the Supreme Court's decision declaring the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional.
As the Senate prepares to tackle the impeachment case during its session on August 6, the CLCNT reiterates its call for transparency and accountability, especially within the highest levels of government. The council believes that the Supreme Court has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability, especially within the highest levels of government [2].
References:
[1] Rappler. (2025, July 25). Supreme Court declares Sara Duterte's impeachment case unconstitutional. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/289262-supreme-court-declares-sara-duterte-impeachment-case-unconstitutional
[2] Inquirer.net. (2025, July 31). CLCNT urges Senate to push through with Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1475857/clcnt-urges-senate-to-push-through-with-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial
[3] ABS-CBN News. (2025, August 3). Senate to vote on August 6 whether to abide by SC ruling on Sara Duterte's impeachment case. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/03/25/senate-to-vote-on-august-6-whether-to-abide-by-sc-ruling-on-sara-duterte-impeachment-case
- The recent halt of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, due to the Supreme Court's ruling on July 25, 2025, has sparked concerns among some sectors, such as the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT), who believe that potential abuses of power and corruption need thorough investigation.
- As the impeachment trial remains stalled, the Philippine Senate is scheduled to vote on August 6, 2025, on whether to abide by the Supreme Court's ruling or pursue an appeal, with some senators expressing intentions to do so.
- Amidst the politics and policy-and-legislation surrounding the impeachment trial, the CLCNT urges the Senate to exercise its independence and preside over the trial, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability, especially within the highest levels of government, as well as the responsibility of the Supreme Court to ensure such transparency and accountability.
- The ongoing general news story of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with its unconstitutional complaint, war-and-conflicts over the interpretation of the Constitution, and the influence of the Church, continues to be a topic of discussion within the Philippine government and media.
