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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider What will happen now? A recap and explainer of VP Sara's impeachment

What will happen now? A recap and explainer of VP Sara's impeachment

Published Feb 5, 2025 02:22 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday,  Feb. 5. However, this does not mean that the second highest official in the Philippines is already ousted from office.

The House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday,  Feb. 5. However, this does not mean that the second highest official in the Philippines is already ousted from office.

Like any other individual, she needs to undergo due process, particularly an impeachment trial.

A total of 11 House members were assigned Wednesday, Feb. 15, to serve as prosecutors in the Vice President’s Senate impeachment trial, where her fate will be decided.

 

 How does impeachment work?

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House Secretary General Reginald Velasco (right) transmits the Articles of Impeachment to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr (left) at the Senate on Wednesday. SPPA Photo

There are only a handful of government officials that can be impeached. They are the President, the Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, members of the Constitutional Commission and the Ombudsman.

Under Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution, any member of the House of Representative or any citizen—upon endorsement of a House member—may file an impeachment complaint.

The complaint will then be assessed by the House Justice Committee if it is sufficient in form and in substance.

But this can all be skipped if a complaint gets endorsed by at least one-third of the total number of sitting congressmen. The impeachment rap would then be directly transmitted to the Senate.

In the case of Duterte, three impeachment complaints were already filed by various complainants. But these did not have the chance to undergo a committee hearing.

On Feb. 5, the fourth impeachment complaint came. It was a 33-page complaint that indicated six major allegations within seven articles impeachment

It basically cited Duterte's alleged betrayal of public trust, commitment of graft and corruption, violation of the Constitution, commitment of high crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder and committing acts of destabilization.

Unlike the previous three raps, it was immediately endorsed to the Senate on the strength of 215 signatures from House members.

Also on Wednesday, the House announced the 11 lawmakers who will serve as prosecutors.

They are:

  • Rep. Gerville "JinkyBitrics" Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District)
  • Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo, 2nd District)
  • Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Partylist)
  • Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District)
  • Rep. Rau Angelo "Jil" Bongalon (AKO Bicol)
  • Rep. Loreto Acharon (General Santos, Lone District)
  • Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps Party-list)
  • Rep. Arnan Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro, 1st District)
  • Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan, Lone District)
  • Rep. Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd District)
  • Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon, 2nd District)

After the plenary session on Wednesday afternoon, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco went to the Senate to transmit the Articles of Impeachment. It was received by Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr.

The Senate will have to draft new impeachment rules before holding the actual trial.

However, this may not happen anytime soon, unless there is a special session. This was because the Senate already announced a session break to give way to the May12, 2025 elections.

According to the Constitution, the upper chamber shall have the "sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment".

Duterte will face removal from her seat if two-thirds of the 23-member Senate vote to convict her and the House promulgates its rules on the impeachment.

Related Tags

Impeachment Sara Duterte
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