Also approved was the corresponding resolution that sets forth the Articles of Impeachment, which will send the case to the plenary for consideration.
On Monday, May 4, the House Committee on Justice voted on the committee report that views that there is probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
With the unanimous 55-0 vote, zero abstentions, it capped the weeks of hearings and deliberations, and marked the completion of the committee’s constitutional mandate on the consolidated Saballa and Cabrera impeachment complaints.
“Let it be placed on the record that 55, out of 55 Justice members physically present, manifested their support to the approval of the Committee Report, to the attached resolution setting forth the Articles of Impeachment, as amended. The Chair therefore declares the motion unanimously approved,” said committee chair and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro before adjourning Monday’s session.
The motion to approve the report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment was made by Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez after the panel disposed of all proposed amendments.
The adopted report consolidates the findings of the committee after eight hearing dates, during which lawmakers examined testimonial, documentary, and digital evidence presented by 22 witnesses and multiple government agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Commission on Audit (COA), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Central to the findings are allegations that Duterte misused PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and during her tenure as ths Department of Education (DepEd) secretary—citing irregular disbursements, questionable liquidation reports, and unverifiable recipients.
The Articles of Impeachment also alleged bribery and corruption involving DepEd officials, including the alleged distribution of cash envelopes to influence procurement and financial decisions.
The report also details alleged unexplained wealth due to the sharp rise in Duterte’s declared net worth despite comparatively lower lawful income, as well as Anti-Money Laundering Council data flagging transactions amountung to billions linked to her and her spouse.
Another key ground cited is Duterte’s public remarks in November 2024, which are interpreted as threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, as well as acts described in the report as contributing to political destabilization.
The report concluded that the evidence on record meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment, finding probable cause to charge Duterte with culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption, and other high crimes.
The panel had earlier voted separately on the Saballa and Cabrera complaints, both of which were unanimously affirmed before being consolidated into a single set of Articles of Impeachment.
“With the committee’s action, the report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment will now be transmitted to the House plenary, where lawmakers will decide whether to approve the charges in a roll call vote,” noted the House of Representatives.
Should it receive at one-third of all House members, which us around 106, to vote in its favor, the Articles of Impeachment will be forwarded to the Senate—which shall then convene as an impeachment court to try the case against the Vice President.