MARCH 4, 2026 — The House Committee on Justice has just lit the fuse on what could be one of the most explosive political battles of the year. By a resounding 54-1 vote, lawmakers declared two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte “sufficient in substance,” clearing the way for the next stage of proceedings. Only Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay stood against the tide.

The complaints — filed separately by Fr. Joel Saballa’s group and lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, with endorsements from Reps. Leila de Lima, Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Paolo Ortega — accuse Duterte of betrayal of public trust, culpable violations of the Constitution, and misuse of public funds.

Committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro laid out the process: Duterte has ten days to answer, complainants get three days to reply, and she gets three more to file a rejoinder. Evidence, affidavits, and counter-affidavits will be welcomed. Only then will the committee decide if there are “sufficient grounds” to proceed to a full-blown impeachment hearing.

Sara Duterte, who recently announced her intention to run for president in 2028, is facing a political storm that could derail her ambitions. Will this impeachment fight expose deeper cracks in her leadership?

The stakes are high. If the committee finds sufficient grounds, the House will debate whether to send the case to the Senate for trial. 

Imagine the spectacle: a sitting Vice President, daughter of a former president, standing trial before the nation. 

Do you stand with the 54 who pushed the complaints forward, or with Suntay — the lone voice who dared to say no?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)