THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday voted that two verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte have sufficient in substance to proceed, formally advancing the constitutional impeachment process in the House of Representatives.
Voting on the third verified complaint filed by Saballa et al., the committee chaired by Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas recorded 54 votes in the affirmative, one in the negative, and zero abstentions.
The panel then voted on the fourth complaint filed by Cabrera et al., which produced the same result — 54 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and zero abstentions.
The third complaint, filed by priests, nuns and lawyers and likewise endorsed by former Justice Secretary and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, raises allegations over the alleged misuse of about P612 million in confidential funds and claims of corruption within the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as secretary. It also revives accusations that she threatened to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The fourth complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., centers on alleged omissions in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and claims of unexplained wealth disproportionate to lawful income.
The votes came after the justice panel completed its deliberations on whether the complaints met the constitutional and procedural standards required for further consideration.
Following the vote, San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora moved that the committee issue a notice directing the vice president to submit her formal response to the complaints.
“I move that the committee issue a notice to the vice president to file her answer within a non-extendable period of 10 days,” Zamora said during the proceedings.
Under House rules, once an impeachment complaint is deemed sufficient in form and substance, the respondent must be formally notified and given 10 calendar days to file an answer.
Luistro presided over the hearing as the panel concluded the initial stage of the impeachment proceedings.
Lawmakers emphasized during the deliberations that the committee’s vote does not constitute a finding of guilt, but merely allows the impeachment process to move forward under the constitutional framework.
Once the vice president submits her answer, the committee will proceed to the next phase of hearings to determine whether probable cause exists to approve Articles of Impeachment.
If the committee later finds probable cause, the approved Articles of Impeachment will be transmitted to the House plenary.
