Impeachment raps against VP ‘sufficient in grounds’

THE House of Representatives Committee on Justice on Wednesday declared the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in grounds, advancing the proceedings to the next stage and scheduling initial hearings on March 25, April 14, 22, and 29, 2026.

- By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz | X @joveemarie

During the hearing, the chairman of the panel, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, confirmed the approval of motions for both complaints without any objection from members.

“The members moved. The members seconded the motion, and no one objected. That is the reason why the chair proceeded to declare the sufficiency in ground of the two impeachment complaints,” said Luistro.

With this, the committee concluded its third step in the impeachment process—determining the sufficiency of grounds.

The panel will now proceed to the hearing proper, where both parties are expected to present evidence and witnesses as part of the process of determining probable cause.

Luistro noted that some lawmakers had raised the possibility of the respondent elevating the matter to the Supreme Court.

“I was explaining earlier that, to be candid, this is not for us to address anymore. Failure to state ultimate facts—the proper remedy is not to go to the Committee on Justice but to go to the Supreme Court,” she said.

“In my capacity as justice chair, I maintain the position that the committee observed the necessary requirement of due process,” she said.

Not utilized

LUISTRO emphasized that the filing of an answer is a key component of due process but pointed out that this was not fully utilized in the current case.