MANILA — The House Committee on Justice has ordered Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to formally answer two impeachment complaints accusing her of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, after lawmakers ruled that the petitions were sufficient in both form and substance.
The directive compels Duterte-Carpio to submit a verified response within a strict deadline as the impeachment proceedings against the country’s second-highest official move to the next stage.
In a Notice to Respondent dated March 4, 2026, sent to the Office of the Vice President at Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong City, the panel required Duterte-Carpio to submit her verified answer within a fixed deadline.
The notice stated that she must file her response “within a non-extendible period of 10 calendar days” from the time she receives the document.
She was also directed to furnish the complainants with a copy of her Verified Answer within the same period, in accordance with Section 6 of the House rules.
The directive was signed by House Justice Committee chairperson and Batangas 2nd District’s Cong. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro.
The camp of Duterte-Carpio, in a statement sent to Panay News, confirmed that they have received the notice from the House panel.
“We acknowledge receipt of the notice served today. At this point, we see no need to issue any further comment,” it said.
The impeachment complaints accuse Duterte-Carpio of several impeachable offenses, including betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
The allegations are linked to the supposed misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, as well as a reported threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of his family. /PN
