The House Committee on Justice has found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, paving the way for the transmission of Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial after four hearings on two separate complaints.
All 53 committee members voted in favor of the motion declaring probable cause, following a move by Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Franz Legaspi. Committee chair Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro announced the decision, noting that both complaints met the threshold to proceed.
“The Chair pronounces that the existence of probable cause has been declared with respect to both complaints,” Luistro said, adding that no objections were raised.
With the ruling, lawmakers will prepare a committee report and draft the Articles of Impeachment for endorsement to the House plenary. A one-third vote of all House members is required to formally impeach the vice president and elevate the case to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court.
Following the vote, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima moved to consolidate the two complaints, citing similar constitutional grounds. The motion was seconded and approved by the panel.
Luistro directed the preparation of a consolidated report to be transmitted to the complainants, the respondent, and committee members.
The complaints were filed by separate groups—one led by religious leaders headed by Fr. Joel Saballa, and another by Atty. Nathaniel Cabrera—and were endorsed by several lawmakers, including de Lima, Manila Rep. Benny Abante, and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V.
Before the vote, endorsers presented closing arguments outlining what they described as a pattern of abuse involving confidential funds and constitutional violations.
De Lima cited findings from the National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Audit, and Philippine Statistics Authority, pointing to alleged irregularities in the use of P612.5 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
She also raised concerns over alleged unexplained wealth, citing discrepancies in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council involving billions in flagged transactions linked to Duterte and her husband.
“After three clarificatory hearings based on testimonies and evidence, the conclusion is clear: there is probable cause,” de Lima said.
She also cited allegations that Duterte made threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying the statements themselves form part of the evidence.
Abante echoed concerns over alleged misuse of public funds and questioned the scale of financial transactions linked to Duterte, citing testimonies presented during the hearings.
“May sapat na ebidensya upang patunayan ang probable cause. Panahon na upang dalhin ang kasong ito sa Senado,” Abante said.
With the panel’s vote, the impeachment case moves closer to a Senate trial, where senators will sit as an impeachment court to determine the outcome of the charges.