The University Student Government (USG) Senate archived the Articles of Impeachment against former USG President John Andrei Vito on June 8, ending the accountability process without ruling on the allegations after determining that his resignation had rendered the case impractical to pursue. 

Six senator-judges voted to discontinue the proceedings, citing the diminished practical effect of impeachment following Vito’s resignation and his impending graduation.

USG High Court Chief Justice Jeyah Ducusin, who presided over the impeachment court proceedings, clarified that the decision was not a ruling on the substance of the case.

“This disposition shall not constitute determination upon the merits of the Articles of Impeachment and shall not constitute a finding of guilt, innocence, conviction, or acquittal,” Ducusin said during the hearing.

Although Vito resigned on December 2, the impeachment complaint continued through the constitutional process because it had not been withdrawn by the complainant. Moreover, under the 2019 USG Constitution, impeachment may result not only in removal from office but also in disqualification from holding future leadership positions within the University.

According to House Speaker Floreza Pongo, resignation alone does not automatically terminate impeachment proceedings.

“If the complainant refuses to withdraw the complaint, the House is compelled by law to follow the process prescribed in the 44th Act of Congress,” she said in an exclusive interview.

However, Senate officials ultimately concluded that the remaining remedy of disqualification had become impractical because the academic year (AY) was ending and Vito was set to graduate.

“The USG has no right, wala sa jurisdiction ng USG na i-prosecute ang someone na hindi na student ng University,” Pongo stressed.

Grounds for impeachment

The impeachment complaint was formally filed before the House of Representatives (HoR) on November 28 as Impeachment Case No. 001-2526 by HoR Deputy Speaker Lian Alistair Cordova, represented by counsel Gianne Jarvee Marasigan, the 6th Congress House Speaker.

The six articles of impeachment charged Vito with malversation of funds, betrayal of student trust, gross negligence of duty, culpable violation of the Constitution, other misdemeanors, such as making false statements during an official inquiry, and gross inability to perform the functions of office.

Among these, the first article of impeachment centered on the alleged malversation of ₱19,360 student funds reportedly released for food assistance to dormers during Bagyong Crising without lawful authority, proper approvals, and before the start of the fiscal semester on August 11, 2025.

In a press briefing on December 5, former Vice President David John Miguel Suva denied financial misconduct, claiming that the current USG Congress had neither a revolving fund nor cash on hand. 

He added that all transactions must first be approved by an adviser or a University administrator before being processed through the University’s Odoo system. According to Suva, no such approval was granted for the Bagyong Crising’s food assistance.

“Walang budget sa trust fund, tiwala lang ang Darlynn’s na babayaran ‘to… nakiusap lang din kami and tumugon sila. While 140 meals were ordered and delivered to the stranded students, staff, and security personnel, the amount of ₱15,400 cost remains unpaid to the supplier. And no USG fund, trust fund or otherwise, were accessed or disbursed,” Suva said.

In an alternative pleading, the prosecution argued that even if no actual disbursement occurred, the respondent still incurred a ₱15,400 obligation to Darlynn’s, constituting an unauthorized debt made before appropriated funds existed and outside the allowable fiscal period.

The ₱19,360 refers to the alleged student funds intended for food assistance, which became the basis of the malversation charge. Meanwhile, the ₱15,400 pertains to the actual unpaid obligation incurred, which the prosecution presented as an alternative basis for liability in the absence of an actual disbursement.

Deliberations on the remaining articles of impeachment were never reached following the Senate’s decision to discontinue the proceedings.

Addressing delays

Pongo said that the Articles of Impeachment were sent to the Senate, and that it was supposed to convene as an impeachment court on May 9. However, the proceedings were rescheduled because of short notice and the need for additional preparation.

Despite the transmission of the articles, the Senate did not immediately convene as an impeachment court.

USG Vice President Philip Zymon Linezo explained that upon taking his oath as Senate President on April 25, the chamber first prioritized internal restructuring because it had been without a leader for five months before formally taking up the case.

“We had to restructure first the Senate on how that should work, ‘no, and after na maging maayos na we saw the rhythm already of the Senate, doon natin tinanggap [ang impeachment proceedings],” he said.

Linezo added that coordination with the Chief Justice required sufficient time before convening the impeachment court.

“Our plan is to not abandon the impeachment proceedings. I, myself, is seeking accountability for what happened last semester, ‘no. We are not abandoning the fact that we are part of the last semester,” he emphasized.

The Senate eventually held a formal session on June 4, declaring the Articles of Impeachment moot and academic before convening as an impeachment court on June 8.

Lingering accountability

Although the impeachment case concluded without a final ruling on the merits of the allegations, both Linezo and Pongo emphasized the importance of accountability throughout the process.

To address procedural gaps and prevent future accountability measures from being stalled, Pongo disclosed that structural legislative remedies are currently being discussed.

“Some representatives ay merong dina-draft na bill to address these aspects of student governance… it’s still a work in progress,” she added.