House panel declares 2 impeachment complaints vs Sara Duterte sufficient in substance
Photo courtesy of Sara Duterte
The House Committee on Justice has declared the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Sara Duterte sufficient in substance, allowing the proceedings to move forward.
During Wednesday’s hearing, 54 lawmakers voted to separately declare both complaints sufficient, while only one voted against the motions —Representative Bong Suntay — and none abstained.
The third impeachment complaint, filed by clergy members and lawyers led by Catholic priest Joel Saballa, cited six grounds including alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
It also cited the alleged misuse of at least P112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education for 2023, allegations of corruption and bribery involving department officials, an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as claims of unexplained wealth and possible violations in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
The complaint also raised allegations of political destabilization, including sedition and insurrection.
Meanwhile, the fourth impeachment complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, cited seven grounds including alleged assassination plot, sedition, and subversion of the constitutional order.
It also included allegations of betrayal of public trust and graft related to the misuse of confidential funds, procurement irregularities, bribery involving monetary gifts to Department of Education officials, unexplained wealth and alleged Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth violations, and a broader pattern of abuse and misconduct.
Following the vote, committee vice chairperson Ysabel Maria Zamora moved to issue a notice directing Duterte to respond to the impeachment complaints.
“In view of the finding of the sufficiency in substance of the two impeachment complaints, I move to issue notice to the Vice President to file her answer within the non-extendible period of 10 calendar days from receipt of this notice,” Zamora said.
