The Philippine House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte following hearings on alleged financial misconduct.

This development marks a critical escalation in the political tension within the Philippine government, as the impeachment process could potentially remove the second-highest official from office. The committee's decision moves the proceedings from a legislative hearing to a full plenary vote.

The committee based its findings on complaints citing the alleged misuse of public funds. Specifically, investigators highlighted bank transactions classified as covered and suspicious that totaled ₱6.7 billion [1]. These financial irregularities formed the core of the evidence presented during the committee's review.

Reports said the House Committee on Justice held the hearing on April 29, 2026 [2]. While some reports indicated activities as early as April 22, the committee's formal proceedings culminated in the decision to move the articles of impeachment forward.

The process now shifts to the Batasang Pambansa in Manila. The House of Representatives will conduct a plenary vote to determine if the articles of impeachment are sufficient to send the case to the Senate for trial. This stage requires a majority of the House members to concur with the committee's findings.

Representatives involved in the hearing focused on the transparency of the vice president's office, and the legality of the fund disbursements. The ₱6.7 billion [1] in transactions remains the central point of contention for the prosecution. The House Committee on Justice has now officially transitioned the case to the plenary session for final deliberation.

“The committee's decision moves the proceedings from a legislative hearing to a full plenary vote.”

The transition of the impeachment case to the plenary indicates that the House Committee on Justice believes there is sufficient evidence to justify a trial. If the House votes to impeach, the process shifts to the Senate, which acts as the high court. The scale of the alleged financial irregularities—totaling ₱6.7 billion—suggests that the outcome will depend heavily on the forensic audit of bank records and the political alignment of the House members.