A senior lawmaker said impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte should be judged based on accountability and leadership, not on the 2028 presidential race.
House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido Abante Jr. said the impeachment proceedings are rooted in Duterte’s responsibility as the country’s second-highest official to answer allegations against her.
Abante said the issue centers on whether Duterte remains fit to hold office in 2026, stressing that the process should not be influenced by political plans for the next presidential election.
He added that announcing a presidential bid does not erase accountability and cannot be considered a defense against serious allegations.
“The issue is not a political contest but a measure of public trust,” Abante said, emphasizing that the proceedings are meant to determine responsibility and leadership capability.
The lawmaker said the impeachment process would provide a venue for the vice president to respond directly to accusations. If no wrongdoing is proven, he said, the complaints could be dismissed.
Abante also clarified that the Senate impeachment court will ultimately decide the case, while members of the House of Representatives will serve as prosecutors.
Impeachment proceedings against high-ranking officials in the Philippines follow a constitutional process in which the House transmits approved complaints to the Senate for trial.
Abante reiterated that the current proceedings should focus on accountability and governance rather than future electoral contests, saying the outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the decision of the Senate impeachment court.
