The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, has archived the articles of impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

It made the move after the Supreme Court declared the articles of impeachment unconstitutional.

Even with this, Duterte said her team will continue to prepare for the future, especially that an impeachment complaint may still be filed against her after February 6, 2026.

“Kailangan paghandaan ang lahat ng posibleng mangyari. Possibly, di natin alam 2026 o 2027 or 2028 may mag-file na naman ng impeachment that would be another opportunity sa defense,” she said.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court said the House of Representatives was barred by the one-year rule under the Constitution, and that the impeachment complaint violated her right to due process.

The Supreme Court also said the Senate did not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings because the articles of impeachment were void.

Davao City Councilor Luna Acosta, one of the petitioners in the case filed before the Supreme Court, posted on Facebook that they will still need to file a comment on the motion for reconsideration submitted by the House of Representatives. However, she expressed confidence in their legal arguments.

With the Senate’s decision to archive the articles of impeachment, Duterte called on the public to respect the Senate’s decision.

Duterte said this after attending a thanksgiving Mass at San Pedro Church in Davao City on Thursday, August 7, 2025, for the Kadayawan Festival.

“Kailangan natin respituhon ang role ng Senate of the Philippines at sa demokrasya. Kung ‘yan ang desisyon ng majority of the members ng Senate, we must follow and respect that,” Duterte said.

Duterte also shared that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was happy to learn of the Supreme Court ruling. The older Duterte served as one of his daughter’s lawyers in the Supreme Court case.

“He was… truly very happy noong tinawagan siya ng kanyang lawyer at ibinalita sa kanya na nanalo siya sa Supreme Court case kasi isa siya sa mga lawyers ko doon,” she said.

“Sinabi niya na sa kanyang lawyer na mag-relax daw siya for one day hindi daw siya mag-meeting at hindi siya mag-physical therapy dahil gusto niyang i-enjoy ang moment na nanalo ang kaso sa Supreme Court,” she added.

Duterte also attended a gathering of barangay leaders at Rizal Park later in the evening.

Meanwhile, Duterte denied claims allegedly made by Malacañang Palace Officer, Atty. Claire Castro, that she traveled to Kuwait without a travel authority.

“Isa na naman yon sa ginagawa ng Office of the President na ilihis ang usapan sa kung ano ang totoong nangyayari sa ating bayan,” Duterte said.