Vice President Sara Duterte skips House impeachment hearing

Batangas 2nd district congresswoman, Gerville Luistro, said the lower house has the mandate to hold the vice president accountable for past misdeeds.

Vice President Sara Duterte attending a hearing last September 18, 2024. Photo from House Press and Public Affairs Bureau.

Manuel Mogato | March 26, 2026

Manila — Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the first day of a lower house panel’s hearing on two impeachment cases against her, insisting her political opponents only wanted to remove her from her position.

After hurdling three stages of the impeachment complaints, the House Committee on Justice opened the first day of a four-day “mini-trial” to determine if there are grounds to elevate the cases to the 24-member Senate for trial.

Batangas 2nd district congresswoman, Gerville Luistro, said the lower house has the mandate to hold the vice president accountable for past misdeeds.

Congresswoman Luistro, in her opening statement, said they have a “constitutional duty” to fulfill even as the nation faces other pressing issues, including the rising costs of fuel products and other basic goods. (Also read: Stratbase survey: Gov’t should address food prices, corruption, create more jobs amid oil price surge)

“The House of Representatives does not forget its other responsibilities,” she said, noting that the chamber also addresses inflation, food security and social services.

“These actions remind us that governance is a constant balancing act attending to urgent needs while fulfilling constitutional obligations.”

On the other hand, lawyers for the Vice President asked the panel to dismiss the impeachment complaints against her, citing the absence of ultimate facts, the alleged violation of her right to due process, and alleged “ double standards” in the House panel proceedings.

Duterte faces accusations of misusing confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education as well as allegations of a death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her former ally. (Also read: Marcos starts consolidation, purges Duterte loyalists )

The next three House hearings on the impeachment case will be held on April 14, 22, and 29, and Luistro said they will continue sending invitations to respondent Duterte and her lawyers to every hearing.