House panel finds sufficient grounds to hear VP ouster raps

A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Wednesday found the impeachment complaints against Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio sufficient in “grounds,” setting the stage for hearings into the accusations that have politically weighed on her.

The House Justice Committee ruled the two complaints seeking Ms. Duterte’s removal from office were sufficiently grounded under impeachable offenses in the 1987 Constitution and should proceed to hearings to determine whether there is enough proof to support the charges, Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro, who heads the congressional panel, said.

“This will be a ‘mini-trial,’” she told a media briefing, adding that both the impeachment complainants and Ms. Duterte will be given “ample opportunity” to present witnesses and evidence during the hearings.

Michael T. Poa, spokesman for Ms. Duterte’s legal team, maintained that “the complaints suffer from a fundamental defect.”   

“They are built on conclusions, speculation, and narratives that are not anchored on the ultimate facts required under the Constitution and the Rules,” he said in a Viber message to reporters.

Mr. Poa said there have been no talks yet regarding Ms. Duterte’s attendance to the hearings, but noted her appearance is not required.

“There is no requirement under the applicable rules for her personal attendance. Any decision in that regard will be made in accordance with her rights and upon the advice of counsel.”

The 39-member congressional panel’s ruling will advance the complaints to an inquiry that will determine their merits and whether they should be endorsed for a vote on the House floor. At least 106 lawmakers must support the charges for them to be sent to the Senate, which would act as an impeachment court.

Ms. Duterte faces a range of accusations, including claims she misused hundreds of millions of pesos in secret funds under the Office of the Vice-President and the Education department during her tenure as its secretary.

The complaints also alleged she amassed wealth greater than her income, moved to destabilize the government and plotted to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his wife and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, charges which she has denied.

Together, the ouster bids accused Ms. Duterte of graft, bribery, constitutional violations, betraying the public’s trust and other high crimes — all grounds for impeachment under the Constitution.

Ms. Luistro said the Justice committee will hold hearings even while Congress is on a six-week break, with proceedings beginning on March 25 and continuing on April 14, 22 and 29.

She said the Vice-President will be given the opportunity to refute the charges and present her case, even as her initial reply to the impeachment complaints did not directly address the accusations.

“The accusations are not trivial. They are serious, and they are weighty,” Ms. Luistro told the Justice committee.

Only the complainants and Ms. Duterte will be allowed to speak directly at the congressional hearings, she added.

“It is incumbent upon the respondent to present her evidence,” said Ms. Luistro, referring to the Vice-President. “If the respondent is not interested to present her evidence… there will be a proper party to do that presentation.”

Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, a member of the Justice committee, said lawmakers will continue with assessing the impeachment cases even if Ms. Duterte does not appear before the congressional panel.

“The proceedings will still continue on a ground-by-ground basis,” he told the same media briefing.

Mr. Ridon added that lawmakers are expected to take up several motions related to the charges on March 25, including moves to subpoena Ms. Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, as well as her bank, tax and corporate records.

Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said the impeachment hearings are likely to be heated and politically charged, taking note of how Ms. Duterte initially replied to the charges.

“Given her combative stance, the hearings are likely to be highly politicized, adversarial and protracted,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

On Monday, Ms. Duterte asked the Justice committee to dismiss the cases against her, saying the allegations lacked evidence and were based on speculation. The charges, she said, lacked statements of “ultimate facts” and “recycle the same accusations” thrown against her in last year’s impeachment push

“Her camp will likely question jurisdiction, evidence and process at every stage, which could slow proceedings,” Mr. Tapia said. “Expect more strategic maneuvering than a swift resolution.”

The renewed impeachment effort against Ms. Duterte comes as she declared her intention to run for President in 2028, a move that could put her political standing to the test. She is the daughter of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who retains a strong grassroot support amid a rift with the Marcoses.

Impeachment proceedings against the Vice-President were revived after the Supreme Court blocked attempts in 2025 for violating procedural rules. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio