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 committee report with the resolution and Articles of Impeachment.
The committee outlined four articles against the vice president.
In a chance interview, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, complaint endorser, said the consolidated grounds are Duterte’s alleged misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats to the presidential family.
“Kahit isa lang pong article ang ma-uphold nila [even though the Senate upholds one article]…that should be enough to really convict her and then to remove her from office and to permanently disqualify her to hold further public office,” she said.
The copy of the amended resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment has yet to be released.
Duterte is facing complaints for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, bribery and high crimes over 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 but 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]
De Lima, meanwhile, expressed confidence in the expected plenary vote, citing what she called evidence-based complaints.
“Kaya nga po ganyan ang resulta ng botohan unanimous vote of 55 members all present…Ibig sabihin malakas talaga yung kaso, malakas yung mga articles of impeachment,” she said.
[Translation: That’s exactly why the voting result was like that—a unanimous vote of all 55 members present. It means the case is really strong, and the articles of impeachment are solid.]
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.
Contentions
Meanwhile, a number of lawmakers have expressed hesitation on the impeachment suits ahead of the plenary debates.
Even De Lima’s colleague at the Liberal Party, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, criticized the justice panel’s proceedings, and vowed to skip the voting.
“I do not believe that this Congress possesses the moral ascendancy nor the sincerity to claim that this impeachment process is truly in pursuit of our constitutional mandate to uphold accountability,” Erice said.
“This is about bias. This is not for the Filipino people. This is about the survival of politicians on both sides,” he added.
In a chance interview, Cavite 4th district Rep. Kiko Barzaga expressed opposition as well to the ouster bid.
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.
