House Panel Elevates Impeach Complaints Vs VP Duterte

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro and Vice President Sara Duterte

House Panel Elevates Impeach Complaints Vs VP Duterte

By Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNATIONWEEK.com | March 6, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has been formally ordered by the House committee on justice to submit her official response to two verified impeachment complaints, signaling a significant escalation in the legislative process against her.

The directive, issued on March 4, mandates the Vice President to address allegations of “betrayal of public trust, bribery, graft, and corruption,” specifically regarding the alleged misuse of P612 million in confidential funds.

The “Notice to Respondent,” signed by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, who chairs the committee, was delivered to the Office of the Vice President headquarters on Thursday, March 6, at 10:44 a.m.

The notice explicitly grants Duterte a non-extendable period of 10 calendar days from receipt to file her “Verified Answer” and serve a copy to the complainants, as stipulated under Section 6 of the House Rules on Impeachment.

Failure to submit a verified answer within this timeframe will be interpreted as a “general denial” of the allegations.

Complaints ‘Sufficient in Form and Substance’

The two complaints, filed by Fr. Joel Saballa and Atty. Nathaniel Cabrera, were both declared “sufficient in form and substance” by the House panel on Wednesday, March 4.

This crucial determination means the complaints meet the procedural requirements and contain enough factual allegations to warrant further investigation.

The decision to declare the complaints “sufficient in substance” was supported by a significant majority, with 54 House members voting in favor.

Only one lawmaker, Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, objected to the motion.

The extensive roll call, including both present and deputized members, underscored the broad consensus within the committee to advance the proceedings.

Key Figures Voting for Sufficiency

Among the numerous legislators who voted to declare the complaints sufficient in substance were:

• Atty. Gerville Luistro (Committee Chair)
• Mauricio Domogan
• Jennifer Lagbas
• Brian Poe
• Ysabel Maria Zamora
• Franz Vincent Legaspi
• Anna York Bondoc
• Loreto Amante
• Jose Aquino II
• Joel Chua
• Ernesto Dionisio Jr.
• Arnan Panaligan
• Lordan Suan
• Munir Arbison
• Janice Degamo
• Bienvenido Abante Jr.
• Jude Acidre
• Bernadette Barbers
• Rufus Rodriguez
• Mikaela Angela Suansing
• Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez
• Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag
• Jan Padiernos
• Terry Ridon
• Renee Louise Co
• Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno
• Sarah Jane Elago
• Alyssa Michaela Gonzales
• Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon
• Crispin Diego Remulla
• Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte
• Jose Teves Jr.
• Munir Arbison Jr.
• Stephen James Tan
• Leila De Lima
• Percival Cendaña
• Antonio Tinio
• Reynolds Michael Tan
• Zia Alonto Adiong
• Yasser Alonto Balindong
• Janette Garin
• Francisco Paolo Ortega V
• Jefferson Khonghun
• Raymond Democrito Mendoza
• David Suarez
• Lorenz Defensor
• Julienne Baronda
• Ma. Alana Samantha Santos
• SDS Dinand Hernandez

Deputized votes further emphasized the widespread support for advancing the complaints, with lawmakers like Reps. Ralph Recto, Janette Garin, Marcelino Libanan, Sheen Gonzales, and Abalos casting votes on behalf of absent colleagues.

Next Steps: Hearings and Rebuttals

With the complaints deemed sufficient, the impeachment proceedings are now set to move into the “hearing proper.”

The hearings are expected to commence “after the Holy Week,” likely in the second week of April.

The proceedings will provide an arena for complainants, witnesses, and potentially Duterte herself, to present their arguments and evidence.

Following Duterte’s submission of her reply affidavit, the complainants will have three calendar days to file their reply to her answer.

Subsequently, the Vice President will be granted another three calendar days to submit her rejoinder.

This structured exchange of legal arguments is designed to ensure a thorough examination of all pertinent details.

Political Context, Contrasting Procedures

The renewed impeachment effort marks a distinct departure from a previous “fast-track mode” attempt on Feb. 5 of last year, which saw 215 House members vote in favor of impeaching Duterte.

The current process is following a more extended and detailed track, promising a comprehensive examination of the allegations.

The advancement of the impeachment complaints against Duterte also coincides with her recent public declaration of her presidential bid for the 2028 elections, making her the first aspirant to formally announce her intention.

This adds a significant layer of political intrigue to the ongoing legal and legislative challenges she faces.

The decision to advance the complaints against Duterte also stands in contrast to the swift dismissal of an impeachment complaint filed earlier against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

That complaint was dismissed at an earlier stage due to a lack of sufficient endorsement by a House member, a point that highlights the meticulous, and often scrutinized, procedural requirements of impeachment in the House of Representatives, especially when most members are allies of the President.

As the nation watches, the committee will now proceed with its deliberations on the merits of the allegations, a process that could potentially lead to a recommendation of articles of impeachment to the plenary.