Game On: House Panel Greenlights Sara Duterte Impeachment Hearing, Starts March 25
The impeachment train is officially rolling — and it's picking up speed. The House justice committee voted on Wednesday to declare that the two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte contain sufficient grounds to proceed to a full hearing.
The panel's decision came after Duterte filed a verified answer on March 16 that, according to complainants, was essentially a "non-answer." Instead of addressing the material allegations — misuse of confidential funds, fabricated COA submissions, bribery of education officials, and unexplained wealth — she questioned the integrity of the proceedings and accused Congress of double standards for quickly dismissing separate impeachment raps against President Marcos.
Committee vice chair Joel Chua didn't mince words: "Nothing in the said answer contraverts the allegations raised in the Saballa complaint. All allegations stand as they were never rebutted." The first complaint was endorsed by Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima, while a second was separately backed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante.
The charges are heavy — culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. Among the most explosive allegations is that Duterte apparently made threats against the life of President Marcos and his family. The public hearing, where documents and witnesses will be examined, kicks off on March 25, with follow-up sessions on April 14, 22, and 29.
Para sa mga naghihintay ng accountability, this is a major step. But for Duterte, who recently announced she's running for president in 2028, the road ahead just got a lot rockier.
Source: Rappler
