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MANILA, Philippines – Senator Leila de Lima has issued an apology, walking back her previous assertion that the Supreme Court (SC) ruled on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte without fully considering the arguments presented by the House of Representatives. This retraction comes after careful consideration and a deeper understanding of the Court’s decision.

De Lima initially claimed the SC’s action of dismissing the impeachment complaint was a procedural flaw, arguing that the Court had proceeded “ex-parte,” meaning without hearing from all relevant parties. However, she has now clarified that the Court did, in fact, take into account the House's perspective and legal arguments before reaching its conclusion.

“Upon further review and reflection, I recognize that my earlier statement was inaccurate and potentially misleading,” De Lima stated in a recent public address. “The Supreme Court’s decision indicates that they did consider the House’s position, and I regret any confusion my previous remarks may have caused.”

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, filed by Rep. Marvin Romero, centered on allegations of harassment and misuse of public funds. The SC dismissed the complaint on the grounds that it failed to meet the required threshold of probable cause, effectively ending the proceedings.

Legal analysts have pointed out that the SC’s ruling was consistent with established legal precedent regarding impeachment proceedings and the required standards for probable cause. The Court's role is not to determine guilt or innocence, but rather to assess whether the complaint warrants further investigation by the Senate.

This development highlights the complexities of the impeachment process and the importance of accurate reporting and analysis. De Lima's retraction underscores the need for careful scrutiny of legal proceedings and a willingness to correct errors when necessary. The incident also serves as a reminder of the respect due to the judiciary and the importance of avoiding premature judgments before all the facts are known.

The case has been a subject of intense political debate, with supporters of Vice President Duterte praising the SC’s decision and critics questioning the thoroughness of the review process. De Lima's apology is likely to be viewed by some as an attempt to de-escalate the controversy and reaffirm her commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Moving forward, observers anticipate continued scrutiny of the SC’s decisions and the ongoing political landscape surrounding Vice President Duterte. The retraction by Senator De Lima marks a significant shift in the narrative surrounding the impeachment case and emphasizes the importance of accuracy and accountability in public discourse.