Philippine House panel approves impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte

Key facts

• House Committee on Justice unanimously approved the committee report with articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
• All 55 House justice panel members voted in favor of the motion by Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez.
• Detainee Ramil Madriaga testified to disbursing P125 million in confidential funds within 24 hours for Duterte.
• COA issued three notices of disallowance on OVP confidential funds in 2023, totaling P375 million.
• Madriaga alleged Duterte's campaign may have been financed by Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation.
• COA's notice of disallowance on P73 million in 2022 confidential funds was upheld by the commission proper.
• NBI representatives testified on signature verification of acknowledgment receipts for confidential funds.
• Madriaga claimed Duterte plotted to oust President Marcos, including considering assassinations or armed hits.

Unanimous committee vote propels impeachment forward

The House Committee on Justice voted unanimously on and attached resolution containing articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. The decision, carried by all 55 members of the panel, clears the way for a plenary vote in the House of Representatives. The motion was introduced by House Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez of Quezon's 2nd District. The approval comes less than a week after the same panel unanimously found probable cause to impeach the Vice President, signaling a rapid acceleration of proceedings.

Panel chair defends constitutional process

House justice committee chairperson Gerville Luistro, representing Batangas' 2nd District, insisted the panel adhered strictly to constitutional requirements. "We followed the Constitution. We did not rush things. We did not do shortcuts. We honored the process," Luistro said in a mix of Filipino and English. "Let us, therefore, move forward with heavy hearts but clear minds. If the Vice President is guilty, let the truth convict her. If she is innocent, let the process clear her. But let it be done through the light of justice, not the shadows of silence," she added.

Key witness alleges rapid cash disbursements and coup plot

During the committee hearings, detainee Ramil Madriaga testified to disbursing P125 million worth of confidential funds for the Vice President within 24 hours, with cash deliveries in Laguna, Quezon City, and the Office of the Ombudsman. Madriaga signed a bank waiver to demonstrate transparency. Madriaga further alleged that Duterte's election campaign may have been financed by Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a company previously linked to anomalous government procurement. In a separate revelation, Madriaga claimed Duterte plotted to oust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., including considering "assassinations or armed hits of several government officials" to cause unrest and stage a coup.

COA flags P375 million in disallowed confidential funds

The Commission on Audit revealed that a notice of disallowance on P73 million in confidential funds for 2022 was upheld by the COA commission proper. Additionally, COA lawyer Gloria Camora confirmed that three notices of disallowance were issued for three releases of confidential funds to the Office of the Vice President in 2023, each worth P125 million, totaling P375 million. NBI representatives also testified regarding the authentication of signatures on acknowledgment receipts for recipients of confidential funds, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the disbursements.

Broader context: Duterte's political standing and legal battles

Sara Duterte, the youngest vice president in Philippine history, has been a dominant political figure, leading presidential preference polls even as impeachment proceedings loom. Her husband has filed a complaint against senior officials and lawmakers for allegedly leaking the couple's bank information. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court has ruled that the case against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, over the drug war killings may proceed. Public support for that ICC trial has halved in a year, with only 30 percent of Gen Z Filipinos now backing it, amid a flood of AI-generated disinformation on TikTok.

What comes next: Plenary vote and potential Senate trial

With the committee's approval, the articles of impeachment now go to the House plenary for a vote. If at least one-third of all House members vote to impeach, the case will be transmitted to the Senate for trial. A conviction would remove Duterte from office and disqualify her from holding future public office. The Vice President has not yet publicly responded to the latest developments. The proceedings unfold against a backdrop of political turbulence, including opposition scrambling after former Vice President Leni Robredo ruled out a 2028 presidential run.

The bottom line

• The House justice panel unanimously approved impeachment articles, moving the process to a plenary vote.
• Key witness Ramil Madriaga detailed rapid cash disbursements and alleged coup plotting by Duterte.
• COA disallowed P375 million in confidential funds for the OVP in 2023, adding to earlier disallowances.
• Duterte remains a leading presidential contender despite the impeachment proceedings.
• The ICC case against Rodrigo Duterte continues, but public support has declined sharply among younger Filipinos.
• The outcome of the plenary vote will determine whether the Senate holds a trial that could remove Sara Duterte from office.