After SC order, Sara urges public: Be steadfast vs ‘greedy’ leaders

After a Supreme Court ruling that effectively halted her impeachment trial, Vice President Sara Duterte urged the public on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to remain steadfast against leaders whose greed threatens to destroy the country.

MANILA, Philippines — As she thanked her lawyers for standing by her, Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday urged the public to remain steadfast amid leaders whose greed threatens to destroy the country.

These remarks followed the Supreme Court’s (SC) unanimous ruling declaring the impeachment complaint unconstitutional, effectively halting the Senate’s scheduled trial.

READ: Supreme Court: Impeachment complaint vs Sara Duterte unconstitutional

In a statement, Duterte expressed her gratitude to the members of her defense team for taking on the case, “even when no one else was willing to stand by me.”

“Thank you to the Petitioners of G.R. No. 278359 for having the conviction to challenge the abuses of the House of Representatives,” she said.

Duterte added, “To those whose voices rang out in dissent against persecution—thank you. Your courage to speak the truth has been a source of strength.”

The Vice President also acknowledged that the prayers for justice offered by parents, children, and silent supporters had lifted her spirits.

“Our country deserves better, and we shall stand tall, strong, and resilient against leaders whose greed will bring down our homeland. We deserve better,” she also said.

On July 25, the SC ruled that the impeachment complaint against Duterte is barred by the one-year rule.

“The Supreme Court en banc declared that the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte are unconstitutional,” the high court’s decision stated, as read by SC spokesperson Camille Ting in a press conference.

READ: Palace on impeachment’s unconstitutionality: ‘Respect Supreme Court’

“The Supreme Court has ruled that the House impeachment complaint versus Vice President is barred by the one-year rule and that due process or fairness applies during all stages of the impeachment,” she added.

Following this announcement, Malacañang urged the public to respect the SC’s decision and “place their trust in our institutions.” /das/abc