Impeachment anticipation, momentum, indignation

It has been almost seven months since the impeachment complaint against VP Duterte was filed by the 250 congress members and forwarded to the Senate. Then, last week the Supreme Court (SC) declared that the complaint is unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on impeachment filings. The ruling did not absolve or acquit VP Duterte of the charges, as only the Senate can render judgment on this while acting as an impeachment court. The SC ruled that only on Feb. 6, 2026 or any time after, can a new impeachment complaint be filed against VP Duterte.

The accusations in the recent articles of impeachment that were uncovered/discovered in the congressional investigations, and listed in the articles of impeachment are very serious and significant, that majority of the Filipinos, 61% according to the polls, have been eagerly anticipating the start of the impeachment trial which was to commence in Aug. 7, 2025. The people want to hear/listen to the presentation of proof and arguments of the prosecution, and are as eager to hear the defenses and rebuttals of the lawyer of VP Duterte, and/or VP Duterte herself if she chooses to testify.

The procedural delaying tactics of the VP Duterte defense team and some of her allied senators heightened the public’s expectation for the trial and fueled a simmering indignation. It generated a slow but heavy momentum which was expected to be addressed by the August 2025 convening of the Senate as the impeachment court. Now with the SC ruling, it is uncertain if the Senate will convene as an impeachment court this year or only after Feb. 6, 2026.

Indignation and other protest rallies can be expected in the next few weeks with this SC ruling, and social media barrage from all sides are expected, while jurisdiction and other constitutional issues are debated in the Senate. The BBM administration will likely take a neutral stand officially in line with the separation of powers doctrine, while sensing/gauging public opinion and improving their plan B and plan C strategies.

The Duterte camp may feel a breather but not really relief, as the SC decision is just a postponement of the impeachment trial at best, and maybe time to marshal defense materials and resources. So, who really benefitted from this SC decision, and how will the impeachment of VP Duterte play out eventually?

The BBM team may use this delay to their advantage, as this will give them time to improve some more the BBM satisfaction rating which is already increasing, given the better than expected economic performance of the Philippines in spite of global headwinds, and a passable governance. The Duterte camp will have a harder time to shore up the Duterte image/brand with the September start of The Hague trial of former president Duterte and VP Sara is not a factor in any government programs or projects. By February 2026, the economic, social and political environment will be different and probably be favorable to the BBM group.

Expect continuing political maneuverings, re-alliances, propaganda, and social media wars to continue for the next seven months from both camps to sway the Filipino people’s sympathies. The 25% Duterte loyalists will hold, but the 60% civil society which traverses all economic classes of activists, students, youth groups, and religious, truth, and justice coalitions will be hard to crack. And the remaining 15% undecided are mostly politically-mandated groups which are more influenced by the congressional leaders.