The House of Representatives on Monday voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, with 257 lawmakers voting in favor, 25 against and 9 abstaining. The approval clears the way for the Articles of Impeachment to be sent to the Senate, which is expected to convene as an impeachment court for trial proceedings.
According to a report, the House vote went well beyond the one-third constitutional requirement needed to impeach a public official. It also exceeded the 240 lawmakers who had supported the first impeachment bid against Duterte during the 19th Congress.
House Approves Articles of Impeachment
The Articles of Impeachment were presented before the chamber by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, chairperson of the House Committee on Justice. In her opening statement, Luistro said the vote was not only about numbers but about whether constitutional processes had been followed and whether the truth would be pursued.
She said the House could not stay silent amid serious doubts involving the use of public funds, the accuracy of the Vice President’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, and questions surrounding the conduct and public statements of a national leader.
The approved complaint contains four main charges against Duterte. These include alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats linked to public statements made against top government officials.
Key Allegations Detailed in Complaint
Article I focuses on the alleged misuse, misappropriation and irregular liquidation of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. The report cited issues such as rapid fund disbursement, Commission on Audit disallowances, questionable liquidation documents, handwriting findings by the National Bureau of Investigation, and verification concerns involving listed names.
Article II deals with alleged unexplained wealth, discrepancies in Duterte’s SALN, and alleged continued business interests while serving as Vice President. The complaint also cited suspicious transactions reflected in records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council involving Duterte and her spouse.
Article III covers alleged bribery and cash payments to officials at the Department of Education. Article IV centers on alleged grave threats, inciting to sedition, and an alleged assassination plot tied to Duterte’s public remarks, including a November 2024 video press conference.
Senate Trial Up Next
Members of the House were given copies of the committee report and supporting evidence, while the respondent and her legal counsel also received the materials. The Senate will take up the case once the impeachment articles are formally transmitted.
A conviction would require a two-thirds vote of all senators, or at least 18 votes. If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office, barred from holding public office, and would become the first Philippine vice president to be impeached, removed and disqualified.