Lawmakers hit back at a Supreme Court petition by Vice President Sara Duterte's allies seeking to block her ongoing impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. The move comes after the House justice committee advanced two complaints to hearings.
Following the House of Representatives' initiation of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte in February 2026—triggered by four verified complaints alleging misuse of funds, SALN discrepancies, and threats—lawyers allied with the Duterte family filed a petition at the Supreme Court on March 27, 2026, to stop the process.
The petitioners, including Israelito Torreon, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, former LTFRB chief Martin Delgra, and former budget secretary Wendel Avisado, requested a temporary restraining order against House proceedings, hearings, and deliberations. They argued the third and fourth complaints were 'constitutionally and procedurally infirm' and accused the House committee on justice of grave abuse of discretion in deeming them sufficient.
The committee, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, has proceeded to hearings on two of the four complaints. Luistro pointed out inconsistencies: 'VP Sara is asking for due process. The Supreme Court ordered a hearing for due process. Now, there is a hearing, they are again questioning the hearing. What do they really want?' She stressed the House is evaluating probable cause, with guilt to be determined by the Senate.
House senior minority leader Leila de Lima called it desperation: 'VP Sara is showing signs of desperation in trying to evade accountability.' Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña added, 'Only the corrupt are afraid to face accountability.'
Duterte has not attended the hearings. This follows a 2025 impeachment attempt blocked by the Supreme Court.
