De Lima: Supreme Court 'redefined' impeachment rules in Duterte caseMANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court's definitive ruling that Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment is unconstitutional has drawn criticism from lawmakers, legal experts and constitutional scholars. However, some of the clarifications offered new interpretations and more detailed instructions on impeachment rules that were not clearly addressed or mentioned in the original ruling. Beyond setting the conditions for when an impeachment is considered initiated, the Supreme Court also offered a specific definition of "session days." "The Supreme Court has not merely reviewed the House’s compliance with clear constitutional commands — it has rewritten the operating manual for impeachment initiation. With plans to refile a complaint underway, the House expects to conduct impeachment hearings for both President Bongbong Marcos and Duterte — all the while considering changes in its impeachment rules.

Source: Philippine Star January 30, 2026 08:29 UTC