House Hearing Proper Na: Sara Impeachment Fight Gets Real

The impeachment battle involving Vice President Sara Duterte just moved into a more serious phase after the House of Representatives entered what lawmakers are calling the hearing proper. Hindi na ito puro preliminary motions lang — the process is now digging into the actual evidence behind the complaints.

According to Rappler’s report, the House justice committee lined up several key items for discussion, including the ground rules for the proceedings, pending subpoena requests, the next hearing dates, and the list of resource persons and witnesses for the first public hearing set on April 14.

Committee chair Jinky Luistro described this phase as a mini-trial, which means the panel will now examine the complainants’ evidence more closely. Among the documents and testimony being sought are Sara Duterte’s SALN, bank records, and the possible custody of former aide Ramil Madriaga, who allegedly coordinated the delivery of cash tied to confidential funds.

The complaints endorsed by several House members accuse Duterte of serious offenses, including alleged misuse of confidential funds, alleged false submissions to the Commission on Audit, alleged bribery of education officials, alleged unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

Duterte has pushed back, calling the proceedings a fishing expedition and questioning the panel’s authority. Pero tuloy ang usad ng kaso: if the House committee recommends impeachment and enough lawmakers support it, the case will head to the Senate, where a full trial could decide whether she stays in office.

Source: Rappler — https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-justice-committee-begins-hearing-proper-sara-duterte-impeachment-march-2026/