House Justice Committee Approves Report on VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Complaints
SARA DUTERTE – A total of 106 votes out of 318 members of the House of Representatives is needed to impeach the Vice President.
The House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Vice Pres. Duterte. The decision of the panel came after four (4) impeachment hearings were held. Duterte skipped four impeachment hearings.
According to Atty. Michael Poa, the spokesperson of the legal team of Vice Pres. Duterte, they believe that the Senate is the “proper forum” to answer to the allegations against her. He stressed that they are not only after victory but as well as showing the Filipinos that the Vice President is not corrupt.
Poa claimed that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is ready to attend the Senate impeachment trial if he will be summoned by the chamber. To impeach the Vice President, at least 1/3 of the total number of the members of the House of Representatives should vote in favor of the ouster.
Based on News5, currently, there is a total of 318 congressmen and congresswomen in the House of Representatives. To impeach Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the House Committee on Justice needs to secure 106 votes.
Based on the post, all 55 members of the House Justice Committee approved the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Duterte. According to Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon, it is possible that the Articles of Impeachment will be taken to the plenary and voted upon next week.
Two impeachment raps against Duterte were found substantial in form, substance, and grounds. Here are some of the allegations against the Vice President:
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount over PHP 500 million confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount of not less than PHP 112.5 million of confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the year 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by corrupting and bribing officials of the DepEd
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
Senate President Tito Sotto previously confirmed that he has met with some senators from the majority bloc over the possible impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. He has also been vocal of his belief that the chamber should act “forthwith” on any impeachment trial.
However, there are rumors that some senators may block the impeachment trial. It is no secret to the public that there are solid Duterte allies in the Senate. Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo believes that there will be no change in leadership amid the possible impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
