The House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time. This follows a vote in which 255 congressmen voted in favor, 26 opposed, and 9 abstained. The grounds for the impeachment include culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. The number of lawmakers who voted to impeach the Vice President exceeds the 106 votes required by the Constitution.
Justice Committee Chair Explains Basis
In her sponsorship of the Articles of Impeachment, Justice Committee Chair and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro stated that Vice President Duterte must explain the PHP 6.7 billion in bank transactions involving her and her husband, Attorney Manases Carpio, which were declared in their joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
"In the Senate, the Vice President will have the opportunity to fully answer each allegation, present her evidence, and let the entire nation hear her side," Luistro said. She also emphasized that the Articles of Impeachment are based on evidence and not mere gossip.
Next Steps in the Senate
The impeachment complaint will now be transmitted to the Senate, which will sit as an impeachment court to try the Vice President. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote of all senators.
