Yesterday, the Senateโnot sitting as an impeachment courtโmoved swiftly to archive the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite the case still pending before the Supreme Court.To archive is, in effect, to bury the Articles of Impeachment. Yet the ruling of the Supreme Court is not final. On August 5, the House of Representatives filed a Motion for Reconsideration. The Court found our arguments serious enough to require the respondents, including the Vice President, to submit their comment. The case is active.Why the rush?The Constitution is clear: only the House has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment. That power is final within its sphere.We exercised that power lawfully, transparently, and in good faithโnot out of spite, but out of duty. Not to attack, but to ask for answersโanswers the Vice President never gave.More than one-third of House Members signed the verified complaint. Under the Constitution, that triggered the automatic transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment. No referral to committee was needed. No further plenary action was required. The process was complete.This was never about political maneuvering. It was about accountabilityโpananagutanโanchored on verified facts and sworn documents.Yet we have been met with personal attacks, sweeping accusations, and a narrative that seeks to reduce a solemn constitutional duty into mere power play. Thatโs not just unfairโit is dangerous. It undermines public trust in the very tools of democratic checks and balances.Letโs be clear:The filing of the complaint was not rushed.What was rushedโremarkablyโwas its burial.This moment will be remembered. And when it is, we hope it will be said:That the House stood its ground.That we honored our constitutional duty.That we acted not for ourselves, but for the Filipino people.We do not rise against the Senate.We rise for the Republic.Tuloy ang laban.For the Constitution.For the rule of law.And for the enduring truth that no public office is ever beyond the reach of accountability. #20thCongress#HouseOfRepsPH#MakataoAtMatapatNaPaglilingkod#LiderNgKongreso
