ASEANEWS HEADLINE-VP Du30 impeachment | Voting 257-25, House impeaches VP Sara

MANILA, Philippines — For the second time, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, launching the transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for her trial.

Two hundred fifty-seven House members voted to have Duterte impeached, against the 25 votes from her allies. Nine voted to abstain.

The Supreme Court invalidated in July last year the first impeachment of Duterte five months earlier.

Administration, opposition and militant lawmakers closed ranks in approving during plenary Committee Report 261 and House Resolution 989 of the House justice committee chaired by Rep. Gerville Luistro, which found probable cause to endorse Duterte’s full-blown trial before the Senate impeachment court.

“With 257 members voting in the affirmative, 25 against and nine abstentions, House Resolution 989, together with the findings, conclusions and recommendations contained in Committee Report 261, is hereby adopted,” Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez declared, banging the gavel.

A mass was held inside the Batasang Pambansa complex before the 3 p.m. plenary session began.

Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro party-list), who acted as the informal spokesman for the justice committee, said their vote for Duterte’s impeachment was a vote for truth, accountability and justice.

“This fight is ultimately the nation’s fight – for truth, for accountability, for justice.

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“It is a constitutional act of accountability. And as the House prepares to vote, we must remember that this process does not belong to any one politician, party or institution alone,” the House’s public accounts committee chairman emphasized.

For her part, Luistro said the 1987 Constitution requires accountability to apply evenly, whether the official concerned is a political ally or opponent. “The principle of accountability should prevail on anybody – friend or foe alike,” she pointed out.

“And if there are allegations that any government official, even if he or she is a member of the House, the Senate or executive department, an investigation is always imperative under our laws,” she stressed.

Luistro warned that institutions weaken when accountability depends on political convenience or public popularity. “There is no room in a genuine democracy for selective accountability,” Luistro stated.

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LIVE: House Plenary session to vote on impeachment of VP Sara Duterte | May 11, 2026

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The House of Representatives convenes in a plenary session to cast their votes on the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. Watch the live proceedings from the Batasang Pambansa as lawmakers decide on the articles of impeachment and the next steps in this historic constitutional process.

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Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal team said it hopes her accusers would be able to substantiate their claim. “We are aware of the action taken by the plenary and with that vote to transmit the Articles of Impeachment, the burden now rests on the accusers to substantiate their claims in accordance with the Constitution, the law and rules on evidence,” said Michael Poa, spokesman for the Vice President’s defense team.

“While questions of constitutional significance remain pending before the Supreme Court, we are fully prepared to defend the Vice President before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, where it is incumbent upon the prosecution to discharge the burden of proof,” he added.

‘God is witness’

Earlier yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy reminded lawmakers in his homily that their votes on the Duterte impeachment would not only be recorded in history but would be witnessed by God.

“Dear members of Congress, your responsibility is very heavy. The decisions you make affect not only politics, but also the moral direction of our country. As you reflect on the impeachment issue before you, I humbly ask you: please pray deeply to the Holy Spirit,” Uy said. “Remember: your vote is not only recorded in history. It is also seen by God,” he said.

“Do not decide only according to political pressure. Do not decide only according to public popularity. Do not decide only according to personal ambition or fear,” he added.

.“Sometimes, the most difficult thing is not discovering the truth. The most difficult thing is remaining faithful to the truth when there is pressure all around us,” he said.

Uy also asked the Catholic faithful to pray for the country and pray for the discernment of the legislators.

He also cautioned the public against believing everything on social media, saying information should be verified first before they are shared.

“Not everything we read online is true. Not every loud voice speaks with wisdom. And not every viral message carries honesty,” he added.

Batasan rally

Earlier yesterday, members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and other militant groups staged a rally outside the Batasang Pambansa to push for the impeachment of Duterte.

In a statement, Bayan said lawmakers should prioritize accountability instead of treating the impeachment process as a “loyalty test.”

“The Duterte camp is desperately peddling a malicious and self-serving narrative that the impeachment distracts the government from addressing urgent people’s concerns,” the group said.

“This is farthest from the truth. Our people are clamoring for accountability from government officials plundering the public coffers,” it added.

The group said there was “sufficient basis” to impeach Duterte and warned that delaying the process would undermine public interest. “Impeaching Duterte is a step forward to stop impunity,” Bayan said.

The group also criticized Duterte for allegedly failing to explain questions surrounding her expenses and accused her of dismissing the impeachment complaints as a conspiracy against her family.

.The group also called on the public to remain vigilant and continue demanding accountability from government officials accused of corruption, including President Marcos and his allies.

In Cebu City on Sunday, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, meanwhile, led the launching of the Reform Alliance for Accountability, Good Governance and Ethics Coalition for the Visayas. The Davao City mayor is the Rage coalition’s lead convenor. — Evelyn Macairan, Mark Ernest Villeza

Delon Porcalla –

The Philippine Star

May 12, 2026

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