Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio emphasized the importance of understanding the implications of Vice President Sara Duterte’s potential resignation on ongoing impeachment proceedings. In an interview, he explained that if the Vice President resigns before a conviction, the impeachment trial would become moot.
Carpio pointed out that the Constitution limits penalties for public officials to removal from office and perpetual disqualification. He noted that since the Vice President is no longer in office, it is ‘academic’ to continue with the proceedings.
The former justice suggested that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President would need to be dismissed due to her resignation. This stance reflects his interpretation of the Constitution’s provisions on the removal of public officials.