MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday after the committee on rules referred four complaints to the committee on justice during plenary session.
Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron, who presided over the session, referred the complaints after the chamber included them in the Order of Business. The referral triggered the one-year bar rule, which bars the filing of another impeachment complaint against Duterte until Feb. 23, 2027.
The committee on justice will determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the panel’s chairperson, earlier said the committee would assess each ground cited in the complaints.
Under the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings adopted by the 20th Congress, the committee must hold hearings on probable cause within 60 session days if it finds the complaints sufficient in substance. The committee will then submit a report and resolution to the plenary within 10 session days from receipt. At least one-third of House members must vote in favor of the recommendation to impeach for the case to proceed to the Senate.
The complaints cite Duterte’s alleged online threats on Nov. 23, 2024, against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and then Speaker Martin Romualdez; alleged misuse of confidential funds; nondeclaration of assets; and other alleged constitutional violations.
In February 2025, 215 lawmakers endorsed a separate impeachment complaint against Duterte, and the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. The Supreme Court later voided the impeachment, citing a violation of the Constitution’s one-year bar rule.
Also on Monday, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V denied Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco’s claim that he was directed to endorse an impeachment complaint. Ortega said he acted independently and not upon the instruction of Lakas-CMD or its leader.
Ortega and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. endorsed a fourth complaint filed on Feb. 18 by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, hours after Duterte announced her plan to run for president in 2028.
