MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc on Wednesday dismissed the consolidated petitions filed by Vice President Sara Duterte and several lawyers seeking to stop the House of Representatives’ impeachment proceedings against her, ruling that the cases had become moot after the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate.

In a statement, the SC said the issues raised in the petitions no longer required resolution because the House had already completed its role in the impeachment process by approving and transmitting the Articles of Impeachment.

“The SC ruled that the issues raised in the petitions had become moot, or no longer required resolution, because the House had already approved and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate,” the Court said.

The High Court noted that the Senate has already convened as an impeachment court and is conducting the trial.

According to the SC, the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment marked the end of the House’s constitutional role in the process.

“As a result, the actions the petitioners sought to stop had already been completed,” it said.

The Court added that any ruling on the validity of the House’s actions, including those of its Committee on Justice, would no longer affect the controversy because the impeachment proceedings have already advanced to the Senate.

While the SC acknowledged that it may resolve moot cases under exceptional circumstances, it found that none of the recognized exceptions applied.

“While the SC recognized that it may, in exceptional cases, decide issues that have become moot, it found that none of the recognized exceptions applied in this case,” the Court said.

The consolidated petitions were filed by Duterte, lawyer Israelito Torreon, and several other petitioners, who argued that the House exceeded its constitutional authority by gathering evidence and compelling witnesses to testify during its impeachment proceedings.

They also questioned the House findings that the impeachment complaints were sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.

Duterte had asked the Supreme Court in March 2026 to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the House and its Committee on Justice from proceeding with the impeachment hearings.

Separate petitions seeking similar relief were also filed by lawyers Vic Rodriguez, Rescie Angelli Rizada-Nolasco, Martin Delgra III, Wendel Avisado, James Patrick Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Luna Maria Acosta-Manlitoc, Jesus Hinlo Jr., and Richard Mata.

The House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate in May. The Senate has since convened as an impeachment court and is now hearing the case.