MANILA— Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Bam Aquino opposed the immediate dismissal of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, urging the Senate to assert its independence and warning of long-term implications of a hasty decision.

Sotto, during his interpellation, stressed that the Supreme Court ruling being used to justify the dismissal is not yet final.

“The decision is not yet final. A Motion for Reconsideration was filed by the House of Representatives just last Monday,” he said. “Why are we rushing to dismiss the case?”

He cautioned that a premature dismissal could backfire if the high court reverses its decision.

“Just to remind everyone, the reversal of the Supreme Court’s own decision is not impossible, even in landmark cases,” Sotto added, citing La Bugal-B’laan vs. Ramos and Lily Lopez vs. Lolito Lopez.

He also challenged the Court’s interpretation of adjournment, saying: “February 5 did not terminate the 19th Congress as stated in the decision. The sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress was on June 14, 2025, wherein the last session day was last June 11.”

“There is a world of difference between adjournment vs. a sine die adjournment,” he said. “This is a transcendental case, ang laking constitutional issue nito. Wala man lang oral arguments or at the very least a consultation with someone from Congress regarding the procedure.”

Sotto warned that the Supreme Court ruling effectively altered constitutional provisions.

“If the Supreme Court is now changing the meaning of ‘initiating,’ then at the very least, it should be applied prospectively,” he said.

“Pag gusto talaga may paraan, pag ayaw may dahilan. Pero wag naman sama pati sa mga ganitong bagay that will ultimately affect future impeachment and legislative rules and proceedings,” he added.

The senator also questioned the quality of the ruling, calling it incoherent. “It is incoherent and some parts are off-topic. Para bang pinagtagpi-tagpi,” he said. “It even quoted the entire Article XI of the Constitution twice.”

“Let us allow and give chance to the Supreme Court to rectify its decision, which contains clear and blatant errors, for their sake and for future impeachment proceedings. Let us not dismiss forthwith!” he concluded.

Senator Aquino, in a manifestation, echoed Sotto’s concerns, emphasizing the need for the Senate to uphold its role as a co-equal branch of government.

“The position ko ay dapat mag-convene ang impeachment court at doon mag-decision kung ano ang mga susunod na hakbang pagdating po sa impeachment case,” Aquino said, noting that the proceedings had already begun. “Nag-robe na po. Nagsimula na, mayroong summons na binigay. May response na po si Vice President Sara.”

He cited historical instances where the Senate asserted its independence, and warned against surrendering its constitutional mandate.

“Mahalaga po na manatili ang independence ng ating Senado bilang isang co-equal branch of government,” Aquino said.

He also pointed out that the Constitution clearly lays out the Senate’s role once an impeachment complaint is signed by at least one-third of House members.

“In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed,” he read from the charter.

Aquino emphasized that even if the Senate is unlikely to prevail against the Supreme Court, it should still assert its position.

“Very improbable na magbago ang Korte Suprema with 15 votes, but it’s not impossible,” he said. “Paminsan-minsan mahalaga na ilagay naman natin ang ating posisyon kahit alam natin na hindi pabor sa atin ang mga bagay-bagay.”