VP Sara Duterte petitions SC to halt impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte filed a petition with the Supreme Court on February 19 seeking to halt her impeachment trial and declare the Articles of Impeachment null due to alleged violations of constitutional requirements.

The petition, which is the first legal move by Duterte's camp to fight the case that could lead to her removal from office and a lifetime ban from public service, accuses congressmen of violating constitutional safeguards against multiple impeachment proceedings within a year.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has signed on as legal counsel for his daughter, while House Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor believes the SC will exercise 'judicial restraint' concerning Duterte's petition.

The case, docketed as GR No. 278353, is scheduled to be raffled on February 24 with potential deliberation during the full court session on February 25.

Senate President Francis Escudero stated that the Senate is still in recess and can only begin the impeachment trial once it convenes after the State of the Nations Address (SONA) on July 21 under the 7th Congress.