MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives of the Philippines on Wednesday night transmitted the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate of the Philippines, two days after 257 lawmakers voted to impeach her.
In a statement, the House said Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil delivered House Resolution No. 989, which includes Committee Report No. 261 and the articles of impeachment, to Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza at 7:22 p.m.
The House said the transmittal marks the next phase of the impeachment process and enables the Senate to proceed with a trial.
The impeachment complaint was approved by the House plenary with a vote of 257-25, with nine abstentions, exceeding the one-third threshold required under the Constitution.
According to the House, the articles of impeachment consolidate allegations from two complaints into four grounds, including culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and betrayal of public trust. The charges include alleged misuse of confidential funds, accumulation of unexplained wealth, inducement of procurement violations, and alleged threats against national officials.
Garafil earlier said the House delayed transmittal to ensure that copies of the documents, which span thousands of pages, were accurate and complete.
Senate officials said the chamber may convene as an impeachment court following receipt of the articles.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said earlier that the Senate would act on the impeachment proceedings without delay once convened.
