House of Representatives Vows to Clarify Senate’s Return of Impeachment — Not a Retreat

Posted by ReyFort Media

July 10, 2025 – Manila – In the wake of the Senate’s unexpected decision on June 10 to remand the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber has responded with measured critique and a call for constitutional clarity—insisting this is not a withdrawal from the process, but a demand for accountability within institutional bounds.

Prosecution Team to Seek Clarification

Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, part of the House prosecution panel, confirmed that they will formally request clarification from the Senate regarding its “remand” motion before re-accepting the articles. She emphasized that while the House remains confident its February submission complied fully with constitutional protocols—including the one-year rule against duplicate impeachment complaints—they require legal precision before proceeding  .

Luistro also highlighted the procedural gap concerning the transition from the 19th to the 20th Congress, explaining the House cannot yet certify the latter’s willingness to proceed since it has not formally convened—a detail that adds to the legal complexity .

Speaker Romualdez Expresses “Deep Concern”

House Speaker Martin Romualdez voiced deep concern over the Senate’s action, calling it “deeply concerning” and questioning the legitimacy of the move  . He reinforced that the House had dutifully endorsed the complaint and expects the Senate, as impeachment court, to uphold its responsibilities unless shown otherwise.

Constitutional Credibility Debated

Legal experts offer mixed interpretations: former Supreme Court Justice Azcuna labels the Senate’s decision a novel but permissible tactic to transfer articles across congressional terms  , while other constitutionalists argue such a remand may breach the separation of powers by overstepping Senate authority  .

Prosecution: “No Court Jurisdiction Lost”

Despite the return, prosecutors maintain that the Senate impeachment court retained jurisdiction after issuing summons to Duterte—emphasizing that “no one can stop this anymore”  . A summons has indeed been dispatched, indicating intent to resume proceedings once procedural issues are resolved.

What the House Will Do Next

1. Submit a formal motion seeking written clarification from the Senate on:
   • Why the articles were remanded;
   • The legal basis and implications of certifying compliance;
   • The timing regarding crossover to the 20th Congress.
2. Temporarily defer acceptance of the impeachment articles until the Senate responds.
3. Reaffirm the House’s commitment to upholding constitutional mandates and preserving the integrity of the impeachment process.

Political Stakes and Next Steps

As Vice President Duterte faces serious allegations—from unexplained wealth to corruption and threats against top officials—the House’s proactive stance signals that it will not acquiesce to procedural ambiguity. With the Senate having reasserted its jurisdiction, both chambers appear poised to resolve their dispute swiftly—though precise timing may hinge on procedural clarity from the upper chamber.

Article summary: The House is not backing down—it is calling for the Senate to clarify its actions, temporarily withholding acceptance pending that answer. It views the remand as constitutionally questionable, especially as it relates to the transition to the 20th Congress, while legal minds debate its legitimacy.