Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday emphasized the importance of respecting the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the articles of impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Agree or disagree, right or wrong, just or unjust, faultless or defective - we must accept and respect the SC ruling on the unconstitutionality of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment case,” Lacson said in a social media post.

“They are not called the “gods of Padre Faura” for nothing,” he added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld its July 25, 2025 ruling declaring the impeachment complaint against Duterte as unconstitutional for violating the one-year bar rule. In a unanimous vote, the Court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, effectively closing the case.

Following the decision, the camp of Vice President described the impeachment complaint as a case “closed.”

Duterte herself expressed gratitude to her legal team for their efforts in defending her against the proceedings.

However, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III criticized the ruling, arguing that it encroaches on Congress’ exclusive powers under the Constitution. He called the decision a “grave setback for accountability.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives may now consider revising its rules on impeachment proceedings after the SC’s ruling highlighted several technical requirements that the House must observe in future cases to ensure constitutional compliance.