Manila: Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday expressed his support for constitutional reforms in light of the Supreme Court's decision declaring the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. Sotto emphasized that the ruling has altered the constitutional design of impeachment, which may take decades to rectify through jurisprudence alone.

According to Philippines News Agency, Sotto stated in a virtual press briefing that while he previously opposed both a constitutional convention and a constituent assembly, the current situation has changed his stance. He warned that the decision might leave Congress with no option but to amend the 1987 Constitution, asserting that it intrudes on Congress's powers.

Sotto described the ruling as a form of judicial legislation, arguing that it effectively amended the Constitution by making impeachment rules more restrictive than intended by its framers. He clarified that his position is based on constitutional principles rather than the individuals involved in the case, reiterating that legislation should be the domain of Congress, not the Supreme Court.

He also mentioned that the Senate might consult the House of Representatives to determine the next steps following the ruling. Sotto highlighted the potential need for constitutional remedies to clarify the impeachment process and restore the balance of powers among government branches.