Metro Manila, Philippines – Half of four ouster bids against Vice President Sara Duterte remained after the House justice committee set aside the first complaint, and the other was withdrawn.
The House justice committee declared the third and fourth impeachment complaints sufficient in form on Monday, March 2.
The third complaint was filed by a group of priests and lawyers, citing culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder and/or malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. A private lawyer filed the fourth complaint citing similar grounds.
The complaints stemmed from allegations of fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, and supposed unexplained wealth, among others.
Determining whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance is a crucial step before a proper hearing is conducted.
This process is different from Duterte’s impeachment last year – which was immediately transmitted to the Senate for trial – after more than a third of House members signed the complaint to oust her.
However, the trial never happened, in light of a Supreme Court ruling that Duterte’s ouster was against the constitutional one year-bar or the prohibition of multiple impeachment proceedings against a high ranking official in one year.
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Makabayan complaint set aside
Meanwhile, the complaint endorsed by the Makabayan bloc failed to advance to the next stage of the proceedings, after the committee decided to set it aside over interpretations that it violated the one-year bar rule.
“It will no longer be included in the proceedings of this committee,” justice committee chairperson Jinky Luistro said.
Twenty-two members were for the motion to dismiss, while 10 were against.
A number of lawmakers pointed out that the first complaint may go against the February 6 bar set by the Supreme Court on its ruling in July 2025 that declared the first Duterte impeachment complaint as unconstitutional.
“We should first determine if this is filed within the one year bar rule. Why? Otherwise this will all be inutile, useless if this will be used in the court to question the legality and constitutionality of this first impeachment complaint,” Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua said.
Endorsers of the petition, however, said the SC ruling in January 2026 – which junked the appeal filed by the House of Representatives – allowed an earlier date to file a complaint because of the court’s interpretation of session days.
The Makabayan bloc expressed dismay at the committee decision.
“Sabi nila, nag-iingat lang daw baka sakaling ma-kwestyon na naman Supreme Court…ang problema nga rito, natatakot sa sariling anino ang committee on justice. Natatakot sa kung ano ang gagawin ng Korte Suprema,” ACT Teacher’s Rep Antonio Tino, endorser of the first complaint, said.
[Translation: They say they’re just being cautious in case the Supreme Court of the Philippines questions it again… but the real problem here is that the Committee on Justice is afraid of its own shadow. They’re afraid of what the Supreme Court might do.]
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon also dismissed critics that the committee is playing it safe, saying it is only following what was stated in the original SC decision.
Second complaint withdrawn
Prior to deliberating the form of the second complaint, petitioners took oath before the justice panel to withdraw their suit in hopes of expediting the process.
Complainants led by Tindig Pilipinas opted to consolidate their support for the third complaint with the same allegations and evidence.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña also withdrew their endorsements.
The justice panel will assess the sufficiency in substance of the remaining ouster suits on Tuesday, March 3.
Luistro said the proceedings against Duterte are expected to move faster with fewer complaints.
The impeachment proceedings happen in the midst of Duterte’s early declaration to seek the presidency in 2028.
A major party in the House shared last week that its members are unlikely to vote in favor of the impeachment, unless new material evidence were presented.
A senior House official previously said that while the process won’t be affected, Duterte’s early presidential bid announcement may influence how lawmakers vote on the impeachment complaints.
Duterte’s defense team earlier said it anticipated the ouster bids, maintaining that they are ready to confront the allegations.
