Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte appear to be advancing through proper constitutional channels, adding that the House hearings could significantly affect the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
During The View From Manila, Carpio said the current impeachment process differs from earlier efforts because it now involves full committee hearings and evidence presentation before the House justice panel.
He pointed to what he described as “overwhelming” evidence presented during the proceedings and said the strategy of Duterte’s camp may eventually shift toward challenging the process before the Supreme Court.
Carpio also stressed the importance of subpoenaing Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records and bank documents, saying these could become the most consequential evidence presented during the hearings.
Key Points
- Carpio said the current impeachment proceedings are following the constitutional process through formal House hearings.
- He noted that House votes during committee proceedings showed an “overwhelming majority.”
- He said AMLC and bank records could become the “most important document” in the proceedings.
- He argued that even if conviction in the Senate proves difficult, public exposure of evidence could reshape the 2028 presidential race.
- He said the Senate would still require 16 affirmative votes for conviction.