A lawmaker involved in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte said that only one conviction by the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, would be enough to remove her from office and permanently bar her from holding any public post, as the House formally approved the committee report.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, a member of the House Committee on Justice, explained that the approved impeachment package has been consolidated into four articles covering all allegations raised in the complaints.
De Lima said the committee unanimously approved the report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment on May 4, noting that the number of affirmative votes even increased from 53 during the probable-cause stage to 55 in the final approval.
“So apat po yung Articles of Impeachment na na-approve as amended,” she said, referring to the consolidated charges now set for plenary consideration.
The four articles include alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and graft and corruption, and alleged threats involving a supposed plot against the President, the First Lady, and the former House Speaker.
De Lima said the articles were streamlined from earlier versions to simplify presentation while ensuring that all allegations remained covered. She explained that similar grounds from different complaints were merged into broader categories.
She also pointed to an added provision under the unexplained wealth article, citing Duterte’s alleged continued involvement in a private company despite constitutional prohibitions on holding business interests while in office.
The lawmaker said records allegedly showed the Vice President remained listed as shareholder and board member of a firm identified in Securities and Exchange Commission documents.
De Lima stressed that even a single conviction on any of the articles would be sufficient under impeachment rules.
“Kahit isa lang, correct,” she said, adding that a guilty verdict on one article would already lead to removal from office and permanent disqualification from public service.
She expressed confidence in the strength of the case, citing what she described as extensive evidence and the unanimous vote of the committee.
The approved Articles of Impeachment will still go through the House plenary for deliberation and voting before being transmitted to the Senate for trial.