Fact Check: SUPREME COURT REMOVES VP SARA DUTERTE AND SENATE PRESIDENT CHIZ ESCUDERO FROM OFFICE

Fact Check: Supreme Court Removes VP Sara Duterte and Senate President Chiz Escudero from Office

What We Know

The claim that the Supreme Court of the Philippines has removed Vice President Sara Duterte and Senate President Chiz Escudero from office is false. On July 25, 2025, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that an impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte was unconstitutional, primarily due to procedural violations in the impeachment process. The court stated that only one impeachment case could be processed against an impeachable official within a single year, and multiple cases against Duterte had been filed but were not properly addressed by the House of Representatives (AP News, Washington Post).

The ruling did not strip Duterte or Escudero of their positions; rather, it blocked the impeachment trial from proceeding. The court emphasized that its decision was based on legal technicalities and did not pass judgment on the allegations against Duterte (Rappler, Wikipedia).

Analysis

The sources confirm that the Supreme Court's ruling was strictly procedural, focusing on the legality of the impeachment process rather than the merits of the allegations against Vice President Duterte. The ruling was described as "immediately executory," meaning it took effect right away and prevented the trial from moving forward (ABC News, Vera Files).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reputable news organizations like the Associated Press, Washington Post, and Rappler, which are known for their journalistic integrity. The information from these sources is corroborated by official statements from the Supreme Court itself, which adds to the credibility of the claims made regarding the ruling.

Critically, the claim that both Duterte and Escudero were removed from office is misleading. While Escudero was mentioned in the context of the impeachment proceedings, the court's ruling did not affect his position. The ruling only pertained to Duterte, and it did not result in any removal from office (Manila Times).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that the Supreme Court has removed Vice President Sara Duterte and Senate President Chiz Escudero from office is false. The Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment case against Duterte was unconstitutional, which blocked the trial but did not result in her removal from office. Escudero's position remains unaffected by this ruling.

Sources

1. Philippine Supreme Court rules impeachment bid against ...
2. Philippine Supreme Court rules impeachment bid against ...
3. Impeachment of Sara Duterte
4. Philippine Supreme Court rules impeachment bid against vice ...
5. Supreme Court bars Sara impeachment, can be refiled next year
6. VP Sara, Chiz Escudero NOT removed from office
7. The Supreme Court has spoken; will Sara have the last ...