FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte’s impeachment not dismissed

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The misleading video only shows lawyer Israelito Torreon asking the Supreme Court to stop Duterte’s impeachment; the High Court has not made any ruling

Claim: The impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte has been dismissed due to it being unconstitutional.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook account posted the video bearing the claim on April 2. The post featured a clip of an SMNI news report showing lawyer Israelito Torreon, along with the text overlay: “Binasura ang impeachment against VP Sara Duterte” (The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte has been dismissed.)

In the video, Torreon argued that the impeachment case against the Vice President is constitutionally deficient and should be dismissed.

As of writing, the video has garnered 1.4 million views, 41,500 reactions, 24,300 shares, and 6,000 comments. It also continues to circulate on various pro-Duterte Facebook groups. 

Meanwhile, the original source of the video posted on TikTok on March 24 has garnered 39,300 views, 2,031 likes, and 389 comments as of writing.

The two accounts that posted the claim have a history of uploading pro-Duterte content while criticizing the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The facts: Contrary to the claim, Duterte’s impeachment has not been dismissed. In fact, the House of Representatives prosecution panel is still preparing for Duterte’s impeachment trial at the Senate. As Congress is currently on recess, Senate President Chiz Escudero has said that the trial will only start during the 20th Congress after the May 2025 elections. (LOOK: Proposed timetable for impeachment trial against VP Sara Duterte)

In an Inquirer.net report on April 2, Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor said the House of Representatives prosecution panel is 80% ready for the trial. 

“We are not only preparing the evidence for the prosecution, but we are also anticipating what the other camp may present to block it,” Defensor said.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 after garnering 240 out of 306 votes from lawmakers. 

Her grounds for impeachment include alleged betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. (READ: Frequently asked questions on VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial)

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Duterte’s arguments: The misleading videos merely show Torreon speaking to reporters regarding the petition for a temporary restraining order filed before the Supreme Court in February 2025. 

The petition sought to stop Duterte’s impeachment trial due to the “defective” articles of impeachment filed by the House of Representatives. The High Court, however, has yet to issue a ruling on the matter. (READ: Sara’s argument: House impeachment invalid for violating ‘one-year bar’ rule)

Debunked: Several claims about the alleged dismissal or invalidity of Duterte’s impeachment have been previously fact-checked by Rappler:

• FACT CHECK: Carpio did not confirm dismissal of Sara Duterte impeachment case
• FACT CHECK: No SC ruling declaring Sara Duterte’s impeachment invalid
• FACT CHECK: SC did not nullify Sara Duterte’s impeachment
• FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte’s House impeachment is constitutional

– Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com

Lyndee Buenagua is a third year student journalist based in Baguio and an alumna of Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024.

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