HOUSE PANEL FINDS SUFFICIENT GROUNDS VS VP SARA; IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS START MARCH 25

THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday found sufficient grounds to proceed to hearings on the two remaining impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, paving the way for full-blown proceedings starting March 25.

The panel, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, approved without objection motions declaring that there are sufficient grounds to conduct hearings on the third and fourth impeachment complaints against the Vice President.

House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor moved for the third complaint, while Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin moved for the fourth.

After the motions were approved, Luistro formally closed the determination stage and moved the proceedings forward.

“At this point, honorable members of the Justice Committee, we declare the conclusion, the conclusion of Step 3. We declare the conclusion of the determination of sufficiency in grounds. Now, we proceed to Step 4 — that is the hearing proper,” Luistro said.

The third impeachment complaint, also known as the Saballa et al. complaint and endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, includes allegations of misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, violations of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.

The fourth impeachment complaint or the Cabrera complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st district Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V.

It includes allegations of unexplained wealth, violations of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth requirements, bribery, and a supposed threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

With the determination phase completed, the committee set the initial hearing dates on March 25, April 14, April 22, and April 29, 2026.

Luistro said the evidence and witnesses to be presented during the hearings will be considered in determining probable cause in the next stage of the proceedings.

The panel also confirmed it is authorized by the House plenary to continue impeachment proceedings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3, 2026.

Luistro also placed on record motions filed by Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, including a March 5 request for a subpoena duces tecum and a March 17 petition for adequate protection, which may include transfer of custody, for witness Ramil Madrillaga, identified as the alleged bagman of the Vice President.

She said the request for issuance of a subpoena and the petition will be acted upon by the committee at the initial stage of the hearing proper on March 25, 2026.

Prior to the vote, Defensor stressed the need to move swiftly, saying that part of due process is to conduct hearings so the Vice President can formally present evidence and that due process also requires expediting impeachment proceedings.

“Dapat po mabilis ang isang impeachment process, kasi kung walang kasalanan si Vice President Sara Duterte, dapat ma-dismiss na ito at hindi na siya maaabala at makabalik na tayo sa ating trabaho,” Defensor said.

“At dapat mapabilis din dahil kung may kasalanan ang isang respondent, ay dapat mapatrial na ito para madesisyonan ng Senado kung manatili man siya o matanggal sa pwesto,” he added.

‘HEAVY ACCUSATIONS DEMAND HEAVIER ANSWERS,’ – LUISTRO

Luistro also on Wednesday said the fate of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte now hinges on whether her response is strong enough to overcome what she described as “serious and weighty” allegations.

“When the accusations are heavy, the answer must be heavier,” Luistro said.