The House justice committee unanimously voted on April 29 to find probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte based on two complaints. The complaints will be consolidated before transmission to the House plenary. If approved, Duterte would become the first Philippine official impeached twice.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the House justice committee unanimously found probable cause in two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima explained that this determination rests on evidence of allegations including betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, misuse of public funds, bribing officials, unexplained wealth, and death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.
The surviving complaints were endorsed by De Lima and by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante. They will be consolidated into a committee report for transmission to the plenary when sessions resume on May 4 after a two-month break. A plenary vote could occur as early as May 11, requiring 106 votes—one-third of the 318 members—to approve impeachment.
Committee chair Jinky Luistro said the report would be sent immediately to the plenary, in line with a new Supreme Court ruling granting members reasonable time to review it. If approved, the articles of impeachment go to the Senate for trial, needing a two-thirds vote or 16 of 24 senators for conviction.
This would mark Duterte's second impeachment after the first was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in July 2025. While she has support from senators like Imee Marcos and Bong Go, the trial will also unfold in public opinion.
