Senate Returns Duterte Impeachment Articles to House

The Philippine Senate has returned articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. The decision, made by the Senate acting as an impeachment court, stems from concerns about a possible violation of the Constitution's one-year ban on filing such complaints against the same official. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri explained the decision, stating, "The Senate impeachment court has determined that the articles of impeachment do not meet the constitutional requirements." The ruling was not unanimous, with several senators voting against the return. The House of Representatives will now decide whether to proceed with the impeachment process. This decision has significant implications for Philippine politics and will likely fuel further debate and discussion. The return of the articles underscores the importance of upholding constitutional processes and the need for careful consideration of impeachment proceedings.