Philippine senators have set themselves as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over corruption and other criminal allegations but they voted to send the raft of complaints back to the House of Representatives due to legal questions.

House of Representatives prosecutors said Wednesday that Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial could not be stopped despite the Senate sending the case back to them hours after convening as a court.

Prospects for a Senate trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte were thrown into doubt late Tuesday, after the Senate voted to return the articles of impeachment to the House to ensure they aren’t in breach of the constitution.