MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution seeking to terminate the Senate’s proceedings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, citing constitutional limits on jurisdiction and time.

In his resolution, Padilla stressed that the Senate of the 19th Congress only has until June 30, 2025, to decide on any pending impeachment trial. He argued that the Senate, under the 1987 Constitution, is not a continuing body and therefore cannot carry over jurisdiction to the 20th Congress.

“The delay caused by the apparent failure to proceed to trial forthwith has left the Senate with barely several days… The timeline is tight and difficult,” the resolution read.

Padilla pointed out that unlike the U.S. Senate, which functions as a continuing body, the Philippine Senate’s composition changes every three years. With a significant turnover of members, he said, each Senate must be viewed as a separate entity.

He cited Supreme Court rulings, including Arnault vs. Nazareno and Neri vs. Senate, supporting the principle that all legislative matters and investigations terminate with the expiration of each Congress unless resolved beforehand.

“The impeachment is a proceeding tied to the mandate and lifespan of the Congress that initiated it,” the senator said, warning against jurisdictional lapses if the matter is carried over to the next Congress.

The Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte were transmitted to the Senate in February 2025. The House of Representatives is scheduled to adjourn sine die on June 13, 2025, with the Senate’s term ending on June 30, 2025.

Padilla’s resolution asserts that the Senate will no longer have jurisdiction beyond that date. As such, he formally moved that the impeachment proceedings be declared “terminated” and that the House and the Vice President be informed accordingly.

The Senate has yet to act on the resolution.