By Samantha Yu
MANILA — The House Committee on Justice has formally recognized two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte as sufficient in form, moving them forward in the legislative process, while dismissing one earlier filing and approving the withdrawal of another.
The panel confirmed that the complaints lodged by Fr. Jose Saballa and co-complainants, and by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, complied with the procedural requirements of the House.
Committee chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said, “The Saballa et al. complaint is sufficient in form. So ruled,” after the motion by vice chair San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora was seconded and unopposed. Saballa’s complaint was endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima.
The Cabrera complaint, endorsed by Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., was likewise approved. “The Cabrera complaint is sufficient in form. So ruled,” Luistro added.
The next step will assess whether the complaints, if their allegations are true, meet the threshold of impeachable offenses under the Constitution.
Earlier, the committee dismissed a Feb. 2, 2026 filing by former lawmakers and activist groups, citing the Constitution’s one-year limitation. The Supreme Court clarified in a July 25, 2025 ruling that no impeachment could start before Feb. 6, 2026.
The panel also approved the withdrawal of a complaint filed by Tindig Pilipinas co-convener Francis Joseph “Kiko” Aquino Dee, who expressed support for the Saballa petition instead.
The complaints accuse the Vice President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and other serious offenses under Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution.
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