Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose C.Azcuna has raised the possibility that the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte could eventually be brought before the Supreme Court, depending on how the case develops.

According to Azcuna, while the Senate is constitutionally mandated to serve as the impeachment court, legal questions may still arise during the process that could prompt parties involved to seek judicial intervention.

The impeachment process in the Philippines involves the House of Representatives initiating the complaint, followed by trial and judgment in the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

However, Azcuna pointed out that issues such as constitutional interpretation, procedural fairness, or jurisdictional disputes could potentially be elevated to the Supreme Court if contested by any of the parties.

He did not claim that the Supreme Court would automatically take over the case, but emphasized that in past constitutional crises or high-profile political cases, questions surrounding impeachment procedures have sometimes reached the judiciary for clarification.This reflects the broader tension between political processes and constitutional law in the country’s system of checks and balances.

The statement comes amid ongoing public attention on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte, which continues to be a politically sensitive issue.

Legal experts note that while impeachment is fundamentally a political process, it remains governed by constitutional rules that can be subject to judicial review under certain circumstances.

Azcuna’s remarks highlight the possibility of further legal complexity should disputes arise during the Senate trial, underscoring the importance of clear adherence to constitutional procedures throughout the impeachment proceedings.