By Liza Soriano
MANILA — On Thursday (March 6, 2025), the Senate submitted a manifestation “in lieu of the required comment,” stating that it has the sole authority to decide on impeachment cases under the 1987 Constitution.
The Senate clarified that it cannot comment on the petition filed by Vice President Sara Duterte before the Supreme Court, which seeks to nullify the impeachment proceedings against her.
The manifestation was filed through the Senate’s legal counsel, Maria Valentina Cruz, referencing the Constitution’s directive for the upper chamber to convene as an Impeachment Court to hear and decide on cases involving impeachable officials.
“Respondent Senate, which has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment under the Constitution, cannot, therefore, possibly make a comment on the Petition and asks the Honorable Court to excuse it from submitting the comment,” the Senate stated in the pleading.
“Respondent Senate further requests that this Manifestation Ad Cautelam be admitted in lieu of the required comment and considered as compliance with the En Banc Resolution dated February 25, 2025,” it added.
A Manifestation Ad Cautelam is a declaration made “out of caution” in response to a petition filed in court.
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