The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 81, presided over by Judge Madonna Echiverri, dismissed a petition filed by Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, which sought to halt the impeachment proceedings against her. The court ruled on May 6, 2026, that the judiciary cannot interfere with the House of Representatives' exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases, citing Article XI of the Constitution. Carpio's petition, which challenged the House Committee on Justice's jurisdiction and subpoena powers, was denied, as were his requests for injunctions and judicial notice of media reports. The resolution affirmed the House committee's inherent power to issue subpoenas and conduct hearings as part of its constitutional mandate. The underlying complaints against Duterte accuse her of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, stemming from alleged misuse of confidential funds, threats against President Marcos Jr., and accumulation of unexplained wealth.