MANILA — The House of Representatives has once again voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, marking her second impeachment after lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a committee report forwarding the case to the Senate.
On Monday, 255 lawmakers voted in favor of Committee Report No. 261, with 26 opposing and nine abstaining, following deliberations during the plenary session. The report was sponsored by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, chair of the House Committee on Justice.
The impeachment process traces back to four complaints filed in February by a mix of civil society groups, party-list representatives, clergy members, and private lawyers. These complaints were later referred to the House justice committee, which conducted hearings beginning in March.
As proceedings unfolded, some complaints were withdrawn or set aside, while others progressed after being found sufficient in form and substance. The committee later issued subpoenas and held multiple hearings to examine allegations involving confidential fund usage, unexplained wealth, and possible irregular financial transactions.
Officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council testified during hearings, citing numerous covered and suspicious transactions involving the Vice President and her family, totaling billions of pesos. Additional sessions also tackled accusations linked to alleged threats against key national leaders.
After months of deliberation, the committee concluded that probable cause existed, paving the way for the approval of the report and its transmission to the House plenary, where it secured majority support.
The consolidated articles of impeachment include accusations of constitutional violations, corruption, misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and alleged acts deemed as threats and incitement against public officials and the state.
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