Metro Manila, Philippines – The House justice committee has begun the deliberations on the fresh wave of complaints to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte over renewed allegations of fund misuse and threats to the presidential family.
The panel began its task Monday, March 2 in determining whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance, a crucial step before a proper hearing is conducted.
This process is different from Duterte’s impeachment last year – which was immediately transmitted to the Senate for trial – after more than a third of House members signed the complaint to oust her.
However, the trial never happened, in light of a Supreme Court ruling that Duterte’s ouster was against the constitutional one year-bar or the prohibition of multiple impeachment proceedings against a high ranking official in one year.
As the one year-bar lapsed, four impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte over her controversial fund use as vice president and former Education Secretary, the assassination threats she made in 2024 against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife and cousin, and supposed unexplained wealth, among others.
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The second ouster suit, however, was withdrawn on the first day of the justice panel’s deliberations, as petitioners opted to consolidate their support for the third complaint with the same allegations and evidence as their petition.
The impeachment proceedings came two weeks after Duterte’s early declaration to seek the presidency in 2028.
A major party in the House shared last week that its members are unlikely to vote in favor of the impeachment, unless new material evidence were presented.
A senior House official previously said that while the process won’t be affected, Duterte’s early presidential bid announcement may influence how lawmakers vote on the impeachment complaints.
Duterte’s defense team earlier said it anticipated the ouster bids, maintaining that they are ready to confront the allegations.
