Following the House justice committee's order for Vice President Sara Duterte to respond to impeachment complaints alleging misuse of confidential funds and threats against officials, the panel plans proper hearings starting March 25. This comes after her response was deemed a 'non-answer' and complainants waived their right to reply.
In the latest development in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, she submitted her verified answer to the complaints on March 16, 2026. However, it failed to address the material allegations—instead questioning the House proceedings' integrity and noting the swift dismissal of complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—prompting complainants to label it a 'non-answer' and waive their reply.
Complainants, including a group led by Rev. Fr. Joel Saballa (represented by lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan) and Nathaniel Cabrera, argued in their pleading: 'respondent’s 15-page Consolidated Verified Answer conspicuously failed to specifically deny each and every material allegation in the 98-page impeachment complaint.'
At the committee's fourth meeting on March 18, chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro (Batangas 2nd district) announced hearings proper would begin March 25. 'The allegations in the complaint stand because they were never rebutted in the answer of the respondent,' Luistro told 'Storycon' on One News, describing the response as 'more of a motion to dismiss.' She noted potential Supreme Court challenges but affirmed proceedings would continue without a restraining order.
The panel will first handle preliminary matters like subpoenas for bank records. Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua added: 'The Filipino people deserve the truth. What we see in the Verified Answer is not a direct response to the allegations, but an attempt to avoid a full discussion of the evidence.'
Duterte's lawyer Michael Poa alleged a 'double standard' versus Marcos complaints, which Luistro refuted, citing clear evidence of Duterte's personal involvement, including threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
This follows the committee's March 5 order for a 10-day response after deeming the complaints sufficient.
