THE House Committee on Justice will proceed with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte despite a petition before the Supreme Court, with its vice chair citing growing support among members and continued efforts to build additional evidence.
In an interview with ANC Headstart Monday, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the legal challenge was anticipated and would not interrupt the constitutional process.
“Well, of course, we expected that, and we felt that they were going to file a petition before the Supreme Court. I mean, she (Duterte) has her lawyers, and it is just natural for the lawyers to exhaust all remedies available to them,” Zamora said.
The petition, filed by lawyers associated with the Dutertes, alleges grave abuse of discretion on the part of the House in conducting impeachment proceedings and seeks to halt the ongoing hearings.
But Zamora said the justice panel will move forward in accordance with the 1987 Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives.
Next, the proceedings before the Committee on Justice will continue with a hearing, as required by the Constitution and the House of Representatives’ impeachment rules. So, we will proceed with a hearing,” she said.
Zamora maintained she sees sufficient support within the House to sustain an impeachment case, based on her discussions with colleagues, but stressed that the process remains ongoing and evidence will be determinative.
“Of course, we will obey the rules on impeachment proceedings, and we will still have to determine probable cause as stated in our rules. And maybe for the understanding of others, what we are doing right now is akin to a preliminary investigation in criminal cases,” she said.
She added: “So while, again, we said that it appears that we have the numbers, we still have to go through the process, we still have to vet documents and verify the authenticity of these documents, especially those attached to the complaint and to the answer, if ever.”
The justice committee began hearings on March 25 after finding the two remaining impeachment complaints against Duterte sufficient in form, substance and grounds.
It is now determining probable cause, the final step before the case can be transmitted to the Senate for trial, with hearings set on April 14, 22 and 29.
The House plenary has authorized the panel to continue hearings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3, allowing it to issue subpoenas and gather evidence.
The current impeachment complaints were filed after the Supreme Court voided last year’s impeachment case on procedural grounds under the one-year bar rule, while allowing new complaints starting February 2026.
The complaints include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained or ill-gotten wealth, alleged threats against the President and other officials, possible omissions or discrepancies in Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and bribery.
If probable cause is established and at least one-third of House members vote in favor, the articles of impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court to try the case.
