Vice President Sara Duterte Defends Absence from Impeachment Hearing, Slams Political Motives
Vice President Sara Duterte declined to appear before the House Committee on Justice during its hearing on impeachment complaints filed against her on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. In a strongly worded statement, Duterte justified her absence as both legally permissible and a principled stand against what she labeled as politically motivated proceedings.
Legal and Political Justifications for Non-Attendance
Duterte emphasized that no House rule mandates a respondent's personal appearance at impeachment hearings, noting she had already submitted a formal response through her legal counsel. She accused the committee of exploiting the invitation to craft a media narrative centered on a "mini trial," based on her alleged failure to respond or attend.
"The invitation to attend the hearing of the Committee on Justice seems to be used to create a media narrative of a ‘mini trial,’ based on my alleged failure to respond and not attend," Duterte stated. She further criticized the panel, alleging, "In this way, the hearings are being used by the House of Representatives to conduct a third fishing expedition against me."
Focus on Economic Crises Over Political Theater
Duterte lambasted the committee for prioritizing political maneuvering over substantive governance, especially amid ongoing crises such as rising fuel prices and increased costs for basic commodities due to conflicts in the Middle East. She highlighted the severe impact of inflation on Filipino families, framing it as a more urgent issue than the impeachment proceedings.
"I would rather devote my time to helping Filipinos — especially by providing reminders and guidance directly to communities — to ease the burden of expenses for the families who need it most," Duterte added, pledging to engage directly with communities to address financial hardships.
House Committee Proceeds Despite Absence
Despite Duterte's non-attendance, the House Committee on Justice moved forward with its scheduled hearing. Lawmakers are currently assessing the complaints to determine if there is adequate basis to advance the case for a Senate trial. The panel had previously declared the two impeachment complaints against Duterte as sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.
Details of the Impeachment Complaints
The complaints, the third and fourth filed against Duterte by civil society groups, clergy, and lawyers, accuse her of:
- Betrayal of public trust
- Culpable violations of the Constitution
- Misuse of public funds
These allegations are linked to purported irregularities involving confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her tenure as department secretary. The complaints also cite threats Duterte allegedly made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The hearing underscores ongoing political tensions, with Duterte positioning herself as focused on national economic challenges rather than what she views as partisan attacks.
