MANILA – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional, calling the decision an overreach that encroaches on the powers of the Legislative branch.

Following the High Court’s final ruling, Sotto said the decision amounted to “judicial legislation,” noting that the court itself admitted to introducing a new rule for Congress to follow during impeachment proceedings.

“A clear encroachment on the power of the Legislative branch, as provided for by the Constitution,” Sotto said.

In a message to reporters sent through Viber, Sotto said the ruling effectively shuts the door on impeachment proceedings.

“Impeachment is now an impossible dream!” he said.

Sotto added that the decision marked “a sad day for constitutional law students and professors,” saying it could take several decades to correct what he described as the Supreme Court’s misinterpretation.

“When the law is clear, there is nothing to interpret,” he said.

In a later press briefing, Sotto stressed that his position was not driven by personalities but by the implications of the ruling on the Constitution.

The Supreme Court earlier upheld with finality its decision declaring the impeachment proceedings against Duterte unconstitutional and ruled that the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the case. The ruling came after the High Court unanimously denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.

Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said the justices found no merit in the House’s motion, effectively affirming the decision that invalidated the impeachment process.

Sotto had previously criticized the handling of Duterte’s impeachment case by the past Congress, as the House and the Senate went back and forth after Duterte questioned the House’s handling of the complaint. The Senate, in particular, faced criticism for refusing to take up the case “forthwith,” as prescribed by the Constitution.

Congress is expected to soon confront two simultaneous impeachment cases, with two complaints lodged against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and several lawmakers planning to re-file another case against Duterte.