The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday confirmed that it has filed a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition before the Supreme Court in connection with the ongoing impeachment proceedings at the House Committee on Justice.

“We confirm that a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition has been filed before the Supreme Court in relation to the ongoing proceedings before the House Committee on Justice,” the camp said in a statement.

According to the Vice President’s legal counsel Atty. Michael Poa, the petition seeks judicial clarification on key constitutional issues arising from the House proceedings.

The legal team emphasized that the move is not intended to evade the impeachment process but to ensure that it adheres to constitutional standards.

“This step was taken to seek clarity on fundamental constitutional questions, which, in our view, warrant the Court's immediate attention,” the camp said.

“To be clear, this is not about avoiding the process. This is about ensuring that the process itself complies with the Constitution,” the statement added.

The defense team further noted that while the House of Representatives has the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, such power is subject to constitutional limitations.

Poa said it would refrain from discussing further details of the petition and will await the SC’s action on the matter.

“The House has the power to initiate impeachment, but that power is not without limits. Out of respect for the Court, we will refrain from discussing the details publicly and will await its action,” Duterte’s camp added.