It's Official: House Justice Panel Says Duterte Impeachment Complaints Are Legit
The House of Representatives Committee on Justice just dropped a major move in the Sara Duterte impeachment saga — voting overwhelmingly to declare two impeachment complaints against the Vice President as sufficient in substance. The vote was a lopsided 54-1 on both complaints, signaling strong congressional momentum toward formal proceedings.
The first complaint was filed back on February 9 by a group of priests and other citizens, endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. The second was filed on February 18 by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, endorsed by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V. Both accuse Duterte of betraying public trust and misusing intelligence funds.
At the center of the controversy are allegations that Duterte mishandled confidential funds during her time as both Vice President and Education Secretary. The now-infamous 'Mary Grace Piattos' alias used for fund disbursements became a viral symbol of the scandal, and it hasn't gone away.
With the committee now sending its report to the plenary, Duterte has been given 10 calendar days from receipt of notice to file her answer. The clock is ticking, and the political temperature in Congress is clearly rising as we approach the 2025 midterms' aftermath.
This is a developing story that could reshape the Philippine political landscape. Whether Duterte mounts a strong defense or the impeachment train picks up even more speed, one thing's for sure — the next few weeks will be intense.
Source: The Manila Times
