Metro Manila, Philippines – The House justice committee will send the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the plenary after approving the same on Monday, May 4.
All 55 members present voted in favor of the report with the resolution and Articles of Impeachment.
The committee outlined four articles against the vice president. An amended copy has yet to be available.
Duterte is facing complaints for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, bribery and high crimes, allegations of fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, and unexplained wealth.
In a chance interview, Bicol Saro Terry Rep. Ridon, justice committee member, said the earliest the report will be taken up in plenary is on Tuesday, May 5.
‘To be impeached next week’
Asked about his expectations, the lawmaker said the impeachment vote is likely to be obtained next week, saying there are enough numbers to send the case to the Senate sitting as the Impeachment Court.
“We’re expecting the vice president to be impeached next week. ‘Yung 106 is all and certain. It’s just a question of how many more votes we will get. And ang ine-expect po namin, at the very best, mapantayan po ang 215 votes,” Ridon said, pertaining to the number of lawmakers who voted in favor of Duterte’s impeachment in 2025, which the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional.
[Translation: We’re expecting the vice president to be impeached next week. The 106 votes is certain. It’s just a question of how many more votes we will get. We’re expecting we’ll exceed the 215 votes at the very best]
On April 29, 53 lawmakers voted in favor of the probable cause on the two impeachment complaints against Duterte. The number is half of the 106 votes needed to approve in plenary and send to the Senate for trial.
Justice committee chairperson Jinky Luistro first told NewsWatch Plus that the earliest plenary vote on the complaints is on May 11.
Duterte skipped all the impeachment hearings and instead chose to issue statements and challenge the legality of the proceedings with the SC.
Her defense team maintained it will face the impeachment court.
