Manila: A former spokesperson of the Senate impeachment court said on Thursday the Supreme Court's ruling on the timing of impeachment proceedings affirms the chamber's decision to prioritize due process over haste during the 2025 impeachment attempt against Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to Philippines News Agency, lawyer Regie Tongol stated, "We refused to sacrifice due process at the altar of public pressure. The Supreme Court's near-unanimous decision proves that under the leadership of then-Senate President Chiz Escudero, the Senate was right to choose constitutional prudence over the reckless haste demanded by so-called experts."

Tongol issued the remark following the High Court's 14-0-1 ruling in G.R. No. 278311 (Generillo Jr. v. Senate of the Philippines), which dismissed a petition seeking to compel the Senate to immediately convene as an impeachment court.

The Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional directive to act 'forthwith' does not mean instantaneous action, but rather action within a reasonable time, allowing the Senate to prepare before proceeding with an impeachment trial.

It also held that mandamus was not the proper remedy to direct the Senate, emphasizing that the chamber, as a co-equal branch of government, has authority over its internal proceedings absent grave abuse of discretion.

Tongol said the ruling 'definitively affirmed' the position taken by the Senate leadership at the time, noting that the chamber must be given the discretion to ensure a fair and orderly trial.

He added the decision reinforces constitutional stability by protecting the impeachment process from being rushed or influenced by external pressure.

The Court also declared the case moot after earlier rulings nullified the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, leaving no basis to compel the Senate to proceed.