QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have moved into a critical new phase as the House Committee on Justice ruled that the complaints filed against her are “sufficient in form and substance.” With this procedural hurdle cleared, the committee is now preparing to summon witnesses and subpoena documentary evidence, marking the most significant legal challenge to the Vice President’s tenure since the 2022 elections.
The advancement of the impeachment raps comes amidst a turbulent national landscape. While the House of Representatives is technically on a Lenten break, Speaker Inno Dy V has signaled that the Committee on Justice is authorized to continue its preliminary work. This high-stakes political development coincides with the “Third Wave” of global economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, creating a complex backdrop of domestic political friction and international economic pressure.
“We are following the constitutional process to the letter,” a member of the House Committee on Justice stated. “The next stage is the presentation of evidence. We will look into the allegations of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, specifically regarding the utilization of confidential and intelligence funds.”
The upcoming phase of the proceedings will focus on several key areas of contention:
- Confidential Fund Utilization: The committee will scrutinize the ₱125 million in confidential funds reportedly spent by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in late 2022. Witnesses from the Commission on Audit (COA) are expected to be called to clarify the “Notice of Disallowance” issued on a portion of these funds.
- DepEd Procurement Issues: Allegations related to the Vice President’s former role as Secretary of Education, specifically concerning the procurement of laptops and the “delayed” distribution of learning materials, will also be integrated into the evidence-gathering phase.
- Testimony of Whistleblowers: Subpoenas are expected for several mid-level government officials and “persons of interest” who may have direct knowledge of the fund transfers between the Office of the President and the OVP.
- Constitutional “Betrayal of Trust”: The committee will weigh whether the alleged realignment of funds without prior legislative approval constitutes a “culpable violation of the Constitution,” a primary ground for removal from office.
Vice President Sara Duterte has repeatedly dismissed the allegations as “politically motivated” and a “diversion” from the country’s pressing economic issues, such as the “diesel double whammy” and the need for agricultural subsidies. Her legal team has maintained that the funds were used legally and for their intended security purposes.
The political ripple effects are already being felt across the bureaucracy. While the Vice President’s allies in the Senate have cautioned against a “divisive” trial, the House leadership remains firm. The advancement of the raps follows the recent deferment of fare hikes by President Marcos and the success of Rockwell Land’s ₱10-billion bond issuance, highlighting a government attempting to maintain economic momentum while navigating a profound internal rift.
As the second quarter of 2026 approaches, the impeachment process is expected to dominate the legislative agenda. If the committee finds probable cause, the articles of impeachment will be brought to the plenary for a vote. A one-third vote of all House members would then send the case to the Senate for a formal impeachment trial.
For now, all eyes are on the “evidence and witnesses” phase, which will determine if the charges have enough weight to move from the halls of Congress to a full-scale trial in the Senate.