Lawyer Israelito Torreon and several petitioners have asked the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte while questions over the Senate’s presiding officer remain unresolved.
In a motion filed before the high court, they sought a status quo ante order, arguing that the issue has become central to the validity of the impeachment proceedings.
The petitioners said the authority of the presiding officer is tied to the June 3 Senate proceedings, which are already being challenged before the Supreme Court.
“The officer presiding over the impeachment trial derives his claimed authority from the very June 3, 2026 proceedings whose validity is now pending before this Honorable Court.”
They argued that allowing the trial to continue before the constitutional issue is settled could put the entire impeachment proceedings in question.IMT
