MANILA — The House of Representatives Committee on Justice on Monday ruled that two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio are sufficient in form, clearing the way for lawmakers to proceed to the next and more critical stage of the impeachment process.
The panel’s determination marks the first formal hurdle in the proceedings, confirming that the complaints comply with constitutional and procedural requirements before their substance and merits are examined in detail.
The complaints center on allegations that Duterte-Carpio misused public funds, accusations she has strongly denied.
Duterte-Carpio also faces claims of issuing a death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former political ally, amid an ongoing political rift between the two leaders.
If the impeachment complaints advance and are eventually approved by the House, the case would be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
Under the Constitution, a conviction would result in Duterte-Carpio’s removal from office and permanent disqualification from holding public office, potentially affecting her planned candidacy in the 2028 presidential election.
Duterte-Carpio had previously faced impeachment, but the Supreme Court dismissed the case due to procedural deficiencies, effectively halting the earlier attempt to remove her from office.
Her legal team said they were closely monitoring the developments and expressed confidence in the fairness of the process.
Michael Wesley Poa, spokesperson for Duterte-Carpio’s defense team, said they were observing the proceedings and trusted that “the same standards” applied in other impeachment cases would be followed.
The justice committee’s ruling does not determine guilt or innocence but allows lawmakers to proceed with further deliberations on the merits of the accusations.
The impeachment proceedings come amid heightened political tensions, with Duterte-Carpio recently declaring her intention to run for president in 2028, setting the stage for a potentially significant political contest in the coming years./PN
