QC Court Dismisses Bid to Block Sara Duterte Impeachment Proceedings
A Quezon City court has cleared the way for the House of Representatives to proceed with its impeachment investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte, dismissing a legal challenge filed by the Vice President’s husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
In a ruling issued on May 6, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 81 denied Carpio’s petition for prohibition and his request for a writ of preliminary injunction. The court determined that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case, ruling that such a challenge should have been filed directly with the Supreme Court.
The Battle Over Tax Records
The legal action was an attempt by Carpio to halt the House of Representatives’ justice panel from enforcing subpoenas for the annual income tax returns (ITRs) of both himself and Vice President Duterte. These documents were sought by the committee as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Carpio’s petition targeted several high-ranking officials acting in their official capacities, including:
- House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III
- Rep. Gerville Luistro, chairperson of the House justice committee
- Charlito Mendoza, Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Constitutional Authority and Jurisdiction
Presiding Judge Madonna Echiverri detailed in a five-page ruling that granting the injunctive relief sought by Carpio would improperly interfere with the House’s constitutional powers. The court emphasized that the House of Representatives holds the “exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment” under the Constitution.
The court further clarified that the House Committee on Justice was not usurping power but was instead exercising jurisdiction vested by law. Because the respondents are part of a co-equal branch of government, the RTC ruled that judicial review of their actions properly belongs to the Supreme Court rather than a regional trial court.
“The respondents are acting in their official capacity as part of the HCOJ, a co-equal branch of government; the case at bench should have been filed with the Supreme Court,” the court stated.
Key Takeaways: The RTC Ruling
- Jurisdictional Dismissal: The QC RTC dismissed the petition because it does not have the authority to block actions by a co-equal branch of government; only the Supreme Court can provide such review.
- Impeachment Powers Upheld: The court reaffirmed that the House of Representatives has the exclusive constitutional mandate to initiate impeachment cases.
- Subpoenas Remain Valid: The ruling means the House justice panel can continue its efforts to obtain the couple’s tax records and other evidence relevant to the impeachment complaints.
What This Means Moving Forward
This dismissal represents a significant procedural victory for the House of Representatives. By removing this specific legal hurdle, the House justice committee can move forward with its evidence-gathering phase without the immediate threat of a lower-court injunction.
For Atty. Manases Carpio and Vice President Sara Duterte, the only remaining legal avenue to challenge these proceedings on constitutional grounds is to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court. Until such a move is made and acted upon, the House’s impeachment machinery remains in full motion.