APRIL 29, 2026 — The House Committee on Justice has unanimously found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, marking a historic moment that could make her the first Philippine official impeached twice. The decision, backed by 53 members with no objections, now moves to the plenary where a one-third vote will send the case to trial in the Senate.

On April 29, 2026, the House justice panel declared probable cause in two separate impeachment complaints against Duterte — one filed by Father Joel Saballa and endorsed by Rep. Leila de Lima, and another by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, endorsed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. Both complaints were consolidated into a single set of articles of impeachment. 

All 53 members present voted in favor, none objected.

Committee chair Rep. Jinky Luistro announced, “The chair pronounces that the existence of probable cause has been declared with respect to both complaints.” 

Lawmakers even broke into applause, underscoring the gravity of the moment.

The allegations fueling impeachment

The complaints accuse Duterte of misusing ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, filing untruthful SALNs, amassing unexplained wealth, and issuing death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Key testimonies included:

• Ramil Madriaga, a detainee who claimed he distributed ₱125 million in confidential funds within 24 hours, with cash deliveries across Laguna and Quezon City
• The Commission on Audit (COA) confirmed multiple notices of disallowance on confidential fund releases, totaling ₱375 million in 2023
• The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) flagged ₱6.7 billion worth of suspicious transactions linked to Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, between 2006 and 2025

These revelations paint a troubling picture of alleged corruption, financial irregularities, and threats to democratic institutions.

Sara Duterte's absence and defense

Duterte skipped all four hearings, including the April 29 vote, choosing instead to attend a local event in Laguna. Her legal team dismissed the committee’s finding as “not unexpected,” arguing that the panel exceeded constitutional limits and that the proper venue for defense is the Senate impeachment court.

For a long time now, this impeachment saga has raised urgent questions. How are billions in public funds being handled? If the allegations are true, it reflects systemic abuse of taxpayer money and a betrayal of public trust. 

The unanimous vote also signals a rare moment of unity in Congress, suggesting that the evidence presented was compelling enough to transcend partisan divides.

This case could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections, testing the resilience of Philippine democracy and accountability mechanisms. Will the Senate trial deliver justice, or will this be another political spectacle that leaves the public disillusioned?

If the House plenary votes to impeach, sending Duterte to trial in the Senate, will we finally see accountability at the highest levels of power, or will history repeat itself with another technical escape?

(Image: Inday Sara Duterte | Facebook)