The Philippine House of Representatives is holding a plenary vote to decide whether to transmit articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate.
This proceeding represents a significant constitutional challenge to the country's second-highest official. If the House approves the articles, the Senate will act as a high court to determine if the vice president should be removed from office.
The process follows a hearing by the House Committee on Justice held April 29, 2026. During that session, the committee assessed various impeachment complaints to determine if there was sufficient evidence to proceed. The committee subsequently found probable cause, which allowed the case to move forward to the full chamber for a vote.
According to reports, this would be the second time [1] that the Philippines' second-highest official has faced impeachment. The current proceedings center on allegations that provide the basis for the complaints filed against Duterte.
Members of the House of Representatives are meeting in Manila to cast their votes. The decision of the plenary will determine if the legal process transitions from the lower house to the Senate, where a trial would be conducted to evaluate the merits of the charges.
The House Committee on Justice serves as the initial gatekeeper in the impeachment process. By finding probable cause, the committee has signaled that the allegations against the vice president warrant a full legislative review.
“The House Committee on Justice found probable cause to move impeachment complaints against the vice president to a plenary vote.”
The movement of impeachment complaints from the committee level to a plenary vote indicates a high level of political momentum within the House of Representatives. While the committee's finding of probable cause is a procedural step, the subsequent plenary vote serves as a critical test of the vice president's legislative support and could lead to a historic trial in the Senate.
