THE Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) on Monday, August 4, 2025, is urging the Supreme Court to review its recent decision on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the ruling may have been based on weak and unverified facts.
In a four-page official statement, Philconsa expressed serious concern about how the case was handled. It pointed out that the petitions were filed directly with the Supreme Court, skipping the usual legal process that starts in the trial courts.
According to the group, this is a problem because the case involves disputed facts that were never fully reviewed or confirmed in a proper courtroom setting.
“These facts have not been carefully proven in any trial court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals,” the statement said.
Philconsa said the Supreme Court should not be the one to find out the facts of the case. Its main role is to interpret the law, not act as a trial court. They warned that decisions made without solid and confirmed facts could cause confusion and harm the country’s legal system.
“We therefore urge the Supreme Court to review the important facts it relied on to make sure they are accurate, because only a decision based on proven facts can stand the test of time,” the group said.
Philconsa also questioned the Supreme Court’s move to introduce seven new rules for the House of Representatives to follow when starting impeachment cases. The group said this step might violate the Constitution, which gives the House the exclusive power to begin all impeachment complaints.
They stressed that the power to start impeachment belongs to elected lawmakers, and if they make mistakes, it is up to the people to hold them accountable — not the courts.
Philconsa explained that this principle is common in many democracies, where judges are not allowed to interfere with the political process. They warned that if the judiciary takes too much power, it could weaken the balance between government branches.
In its decision released on July 25, the Supreme Court upheld the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Duterte.
The Court also laid down new rules that the House must follow when handling impeachment complaints. These include stricter steps in checking facts and clearer procedures in sending complaints to the Senate.
But Philconsa said the Court’s decision relied on questionable information, such as unverified news reports and hearsay, and lacked enough clear evidence. They warned that this could result in unfair decisions and deny due process to those involved.
Retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Philconsa chairman, signed the statement and called on the Court to be cautious. “We call on the Supreme Court to avoid stepping into political matters where many facts are unclear,” the statement said.
Philconsa, according to an article posted on the Presidential Communications Office website, is a 130-member non-stock and non-profit civic organization of legal luminaries, business, and socio-civic leaders. DEF
