MANILA – House of Representatives leaders on Thursday said they fully respect the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision denying the motion for reconsideration filed by the House last year regarding the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a decision dated January 28, the SC reaffirmed its earlier ruling that the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte were unconstitutional.

“Kinikilala ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema kaugnay ng Articles of Impeachment laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte (The House of Representatives respects the decision of the Supreme Court in connection with the Articles of Impeachment against VP Sara Duterte),” Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy III said.

He added, “Ang impeachment ay isang prosesong malinaw na itinatakda ng Konstitusyon at may tiyak na pamantayan. Mahalaga po ang pag-iingat sa proseso ng impeachment — isang pananagutang kaakibat ng mandato na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng sambayanang Pilipino (Impeachment is a process clearly mandated by the Constitution and with clear guidelines. It’s important to be cautious with the impeachment process – a responsibility affiliated with the mandate entrusted to us by the Filipino people).”

Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez of South Cotabato said the House “takes note” of the SC decision.

“As a co-equal branch of government, the House fully respects the Supreme Court as the final arbiter on issues of constitutionality. This respect is grounded in our shared commitment to the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the orderly functioning of democratic institutions,” Hernandez said.

“The House of Representatives remains guided by its constitutional mandate and reaffirms its commitment to upholding democratic principles, institutional respect, and the rule of law,” he added.

Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal Party-list noted that the “SC’s ruling rests on technicality.”

“Magagamit ito sa susunod na filing. Still not a vindication. Wala pa ring nalinis na pangalan (This can be used in the next filing. No name has been cleared),” she posted on X.