<P> The 1987 (current) constitution limits the number of impeachment complaints that can be filed against an official to one per year . There has been controversy over what counts as an impeachment complaint . While some argued that for a complaint to count against the limit it must be voted on, and others have proposed other interpretations, the House has decided that any complaint filed fulfills the quota regardless of how well - formed it is or who filed it . Therefore, supporters of a vulnerable official can file a weak, flawed, or unconstitutional complaint, thereby using up the quota and protecting that official from impeachment for that year . </P> <P> There has also been debate about whether a year should be a calendar year, say 2006, or a full 12 - month period . An example of how this limit works in practice are the attempts to impeach President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo . While the Philippine impeachment procedures parallel the United States' impeachment procedures, the two procedures differ in two significant ways: the percentage needed to impeach and the numerical limit on impeachment procedures . </P> <P> If the President of the Philippines is on trial, such as in 2001, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines shall preside but not vote . </P>

Who is presiding officer for impeachment trials against the president of the phil