House vows to pursue accountability for VP Duterte over P612.5-M funds

House leaders have vowed to pursue accountability for Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, despite a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that struck down the articles of impeachment against her.

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Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Jay Khonghun of Zambales said the House will take the next legal steps once the one-year ban on filing a new impeachment complaint ends on February 6, 2026.

"If the decision remains, then we will have to discuss after February 6, 2026 how to pursue accountability on the part of VP Duterte for her mishandling of P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023," Ortega said.

However, the lawmakers said they would still prefer the SC to reverse its July 25 decision and allow the Senate Impeachment Court to hear the case, even if 19 senators earlier voted to "archive" the complaint, four voted against the move, and one abstained.

The SC emphasized that its ruling was based on procedural issues and did not clear Duterte of any liability.

"Our ruling does not absolve petitioner VP Duterte from any of the charges. Any ruling on the charges against her can only be accomplished through another impeachment process, followed by a trial and conviction by the Senate," the SC said.

Ortega agreed with President Marcos that "the fight is not yet over," pointing out that the high court left the matter of accountability unresolved.