The wheels of the impeachment process are officially turning as the House of Representatives Committee on Justice issued formal notices for the first hearing on the four complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The notice, shared by lawmakers on February 27, 2026, confirms that the panel will begin its high-stakes deliberations on Monday, March 2, at 10:00 a.m. This marks a critical moment in the “serial impeachment” saga that has dominated the political landscape for over a year.
The Hearing Roadmap
The Committee on Justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, will follow a strict constitutional process to determine if the complaints move forward. The initial stages are crucial:
- Sufficiency in Form: The panel checks if the complaints are properly verified and endorsed.
- Sufficiency in Substance: The committee debates whether the allegations, if proven true, constitute impeachable offenses.
- Determination of Probable Cause: If the complaints pass the first two tests, the panel will invite witnesses and the respondent to testify.
VP Duterte’s Attendance: “A Prerogative”
Representative Luistro clarified that while the Vice President will be invited to participate, her physical presence is not mandatory.
“Her presence in the hearing is part of her right to due process,” Luistro noted. “Whether she wishes to come or not is her prerogative. If she does not attend, it will simply be interpreted as a waiver of her right to be present.”
The Four Complaints
The current proceedings involve four separate complaints consolidated into one major case. The charges primarily revolve around:
- Misuse of Funds: Alleged malversation of P612 million in confidential funds during her time at the OVP and DepEd.
- Betrayal of Public Trust: Statements regarding an alleged “assassination plot” against high-ranking officials.
- Graft and Corruption: Allegations related to unexplained wealth and non-disclosure of properties in her SALN.
The House Committee on Justice has scheduled the first hearing on the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte for March 2, 2026. Formal notices have been sent to lawmakers, initiating a process to determine if the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. The charges include misuse of confidential funds and betrayal of public trust. While the Vice President will be invited to the hearings, her attendance is optional and considered a right to due process.