House Starts VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Hearings Monday — Four Complaints, One Big Political Showdown

The House Committee on Justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro, is set to begin deliberating the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte starting Monday, March 2. The hearings will kick off at 10 AM at the People's Center in the House of Representatives.

Notices have been sent out for three consecutive hearing dates — March 2, 3, and 4. The committee will scrutinize all four verified complaints, which were filed between February 2 and February 18, all centering on the Vice President's alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds.

The first complaint was filed by Makabayan Coalition members and endorsed by ACT Teachers' Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co. Former senator Leila de Lima endorsed two of the complaints, while the fourth was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.

Cabrera's complaint goes further, flagging the VP's alleged failure to fully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) and possible unexplained wealth. Under the Constitution, impeachable offenses include culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

The committee is expected to follow the same procedures used in the recent Marcos impeachment case, which was dismissed for lack of substance. Rep. Terry Ridon assured the public that the process will be fair and transparent. Whether VP Duterte herself will attend remains to be seen.

Source: Manila Bulletin