March 5, 2026
MANILA – The House of Representatives’ committee on justice on Wednesday declared the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in substance, allowing the proceedings to move forward.
During the panel’s hearing, 54 lawmakers voted to separately declare both the third and fourth complaints as sufficient, while only one voted against the two motions – Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay – and none abstained.
The third impeachment complaint, filed by clergy members and lawyers led by Catholic priest Joel Saballa, cited six grounds:
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting more than P500 million in confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged misuse of at least P112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2023
- Alleged corruption and bribery of DepEd officials
- Alleged contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady and the former House speaker
- Alleged unexplained wealth and failure to fully disclose assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)
- Alleged acts of political destabilization, including sedition and insurrection
Meanwhile, the fourth impeachment complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, raised seven grounds:
- Alleged assassination plot, sedition and subversion of constitutional order
- Alleged betrayal of public trust and graft over the misuse and malversation of confidential funds
- Alleged graft, bribery, procurement irregularities, and command responsibility in the disbursement of public funds to unauthorized recipients
- Alleged bribery and procurement irregularities involving monetary gifts to DepEd officials
- Alleged unexplained wealth and SALN violations, including issues involving bank records and financial forensics
- Alleged pattern of abuse, threats, incitement, and interference with civilian supremacy
- Alleged pattern of abuse and cumulative misconduct
Following the votes, committee vice chairperson and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora moved to issue a notice directing Duterte to respond to the impeachment complaints.
“In view of the finding of the sufficiency in substance of the two impeachment complaints, I move to issue notice to the Vice President … to file her answer … within the non-extendible period of 10 calendar days from receipt of this notice,” Zamora said.
The motion was approved by committee chairperson and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro.
Next steps
Under the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings of the House, once a complaint is deemed sufficient in substance, the committee must furnish the respondent with a copy.
The Vice President has 10 calendar days from receipt of the notice to submit her answer.
Afterward, the complainants may file a reply within three days. Duterte may then file a rejoinder within three days of receiving that reply.
Both sides must submit affidavits or counter-affidavits and documentary evidence along with their pleadings.
The committee will then conduct hearings and must submit a report and recommendation to the House within 60 session days from the referral of the verified complaint.
The report will include a formal resolution on the disposition of the complaints, which must be scheduled for House plenary consideration within 10 session days after receipt.
A one-third vote of all House members is required to approve the committee’s recommendation — whether to impeach the official or dismiss the complaints.
If the House votes to impeach, the case will be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
Other impeachment complaints
Originally, four impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte.
However, the second complaint, filed by a group led by Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee, was withdrawn after the complainants decided to support the third complaint to expedite proceedings.
The first complaint, filed by the Makabayan Coalition, was set aside by the committee in a 22–10 vote for allegedly violating the one-year bar rule.
The third complaint was endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, while Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. sponsored the fourth complaint. /dm