MANILA – The House of Representatives, including members from Western Visayas, voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday afternoon, making her the first impeachable official in Philippine history to face impeachment twice in the chamber.
In a 257-25-9 voting, lawmakers endorsed multiple articles of impeachment accusing Duterte-Carpio of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
Lawmakers from Negros Island Region (NIR) also voted to impeach the Vice President.
From Iloilo, those who voted in favor of impeachment were the following House members:
* Cong. Julienne Baronda – Iloilo City
* Cong. James Ang – USWAG Ilonggo party-list
* Cong. Janette Garin – 1st District
* Cong. Kathy Gorriceta – 2nd District
* Cong. Lorenz Defensor – 3rd District
* Cong. Ferjenel Biron – 4th District
* Cong. Binky Tupas – 5th District
Their decision is a vote for accountability, they stressed.
Other Western Visayas House members who also voted to impeach Duterte-Carpio were Antique’s Cong. AA Legarda, Guimaras’ Cong. Rahman Nava, Aklan’s Cong. Florencio Miraflores, and Capiz’s Cong. Howard Guintu.
Duterte-Carpio was first impeached on February 5, 2025 but this did not prosper to a Senate trial. She secured a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court invalidating the impeachment process.
The current impeachment complaint cited several allegations against Duterte-Carpio, including the purported misuse and irregular liquidation of confidential funds amounting to P500 million under the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million released to the Department of Education during her tenure as Education Secretary.
The complaint also accused Duterte-Carpio of possessing unexplained wealth allegedly disproportionate to her declared lawful income, failing to fully disclose assets and liabilities in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and maintaining business interests while serving as Vice President.
Another article alleged that monetary gifts were given by the Vice President to Department of Education officials to influence procurement-related transactions.
Duterte-Carpio was further accused of threatening the lives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, with allegations that she incited sedition and had contact a hired assassin.
During her sponsorship speech, House Justice Committee chairperson and Batangas’ Cong. Gerville Luistro said Duterte-Carpio should explain the alleged P6.7 billion in bank transactions involving her and her husband, Manases Carpio, which were supposedly not declared in their joint SALN filings.
“May numero ba tayo? Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues. Opo. Meron po tayong numero. Ngunit ang numerong tinutukoy ko ay hindi lamang bilang ng boto. Nasa records po ang numero – P6.7 billion. Iyan ang numerong kailangang maipaliwanag sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Luistro said.
“Iyan ang numerong hindi maaaring ibaon sa limot. Iyan ang numerong nagtatanong kung may mga bagay bang kinakailangang lubos na maipaliwanag sa sambayanang Pilipino. At sa Senado, naroon ang pagkakataon ng Bise Presidente na sagutin nang buo ang bawat alegasyon, iharap ang kanyang ebidensya, at marinig ng buong sambayanan ang kanyang panig,” she added.
Luistro emphasized that the impeachment complaint was based on documentary evidence and a lengthy investigation.
“Hawak po natin ngayon ang bunga ng mahabang proseso. Hindi ito nabuo sa isang gabi. Hindi ito produkto ng tsismis, galit, o sigaw sa social media. Bawat pahina ay may bigat. Bawat dokumento ay may implikasyon,” Luistro said.
Under the Constitution, at least one-third of all House members must endorse the articles of impeachment before the case can be transmitted to the Senate.
Once transmitted, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court to hear the case.
Senate officials earlier said they are prepared to proceed immediately and may continue hearings even during legislative breaks.
The Vice President has repeatedly denied all allegations against her./PN
Eleven lawmakers from Western Visayas emphasized that their support for Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment is a vote for accountability.