Manila: The House Committee on Justice formally began its hearings on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte by adopting ground rules and issuing multiple subpoenas. The panel, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro, took significant steps to gather evidence related to the allegations against Duterte.
According to Philippines News Agency, the committee ordered a subpoena duces tecum to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following a motion by Manila Rep. Joel Chua. This subpoena aims to obtain records concerning alleged threats made by Duterte against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. These threats reportedly occurred during a November 2025 press conference, where Duterte allegedly instructed an individual to kill the three in the event of her demise.
The NBI is directed to submit certified copies of all records, documents, and photographs gathered during its investigation. Lawmakers are also seeking financial and corporate records linked to Duterte, her family, and associated entities to examine potential unexplained wealth and irregularities in public disclosures.
Chua additionally moved for a subpoena to the Office of the Ombudsman for Duterte's Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Meanwhile, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon requested subpoenas to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for the income tax returns and related records of Duterte, her spouse Manases 'Mans' Carpio, and identified business entities. The committee granted these motions, including a subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to a BIR representative for tax records from 2007 to 2025.
Ridon further sought subpoenas to the Securities and Exchange Commission for general information sheets and audited financial statements of several firms linked to Duterte and her family to verify ownership and financial activities. The panel approved this request as well.
In connection with the alleged misuse of confidential funds, ML Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima moved for subpoenas to Commission on Audit official Gloria Camora to testify and produce documents related to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). De Lima also sought subpoenas for Duterte's alleged 'bagman' Ramil Madriaga to authenticate his November 29, 2025 affidavit and present supporting evidence on the handling of confidential funds. Additionally, notary public Cynthia Vi±as-Panto±al was requested to confirm the notarization of the affidavit and produce the original document.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio successfully motioned for a subpoena to lawyer Michael Poa, Duterte's former chief of staff and spokesperson at the DepEd, during which the agency received PHP112.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023. Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno's motion to place Madriaga under protective custody was also approved.
Further motions by De Lima directed the House Legislative Library Archives Division to submit transcripts, video recordings, and related records of prior House hearings on OVP and DepEd confidential funds. The panel also ordered the Philippine Statistics Authority to provide and authenticate civil registry documents to verify the identities of recipients of confidential funds.
These subpoenas are part of the committee's effort to gather evidence on the two remaining impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte. Earlier, the complaints were deemed sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.
During the hearing, members adopted detailed ground rules for proceedings, presented by vice chair San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora. The 38-member panel will operate with a quorum of one-fifth of its membership, allowing ex officio members both voice and vote, with specific protocols for member recognition and questioning.
The Justice panel aims to determine if probable cause exists to elevate the impeachment complaints to the Senate, which would serve as the impeachment court. Additional hearings are scheduled for April 14, 22, and 29.
