MANILA — The House Committee on Justice voted unanimously to find probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, based on two impeachment complaints filed against her.

In a report, Committee chair Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said no member objected during the voting, with 53 lawmakers present when the decision was made.

The panel reached its conclusion after four impeachment hearings that examined testimony and documentary evidence from various witnesses and agencies.

Among those presented was detainee Ramil Madriaga’s account of alleged disbursement of ₱125 million in confidential funds within 24 hours, with reported cash deliveries in Laguna, Quezon City, and the Office of the Ombudsman. Madriaga also reportedly signed a bank waiver and claimed that Duterte’s campaign may have been financed by Pharmally, which has been linked to past government procurement controversies.

The Commission on Audit (COA) confirmed that a notice of disallowance involving ₱73 million in 2022 confidential funds was upheld by the commission proper. COA lawyer Gloria Camora also testified that three additional notices of disallowance were issued for 2023 confidential fund releases for the Office of the Vice President totaling ₱375 million.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) representatives also presented findings on alleged irregularities in signatures on acknowledgment receipts tied to confidential fund disbursements.

The Philippine Statistics Authority testified that individuals named as recipients of confidential funds—such as Mary Grace Piattos, Milky Secuya, and Kokoy Villamin—do not have records in the civil registry.

Lawmakers also cited Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) from 2019 to 2024, noting that she did not declare cash on hand or bank deposits during the period.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reportedly flagged ₱6.7 billion in bank transactions linked to Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, from 2006 to 2025, including ₱4.425 billion in inflows and ₱1.55 billion in outflows. The report also cited derogatory records and multiple confidential reports flagging suspected links to drug-related offenses, graft, and alleged misuse of public funds.

The AMLC also cited 27 confidential reports on Duterte and 17 on Carpio covering various periods, as well as at least 18 bank transactions allegedly matching suspicious transaction reports cited in previous affidavits.

Lawmakers also referenced NBI findings on a 2024 press conference video allegedly showing Duterte making statements interpreted as threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, which the bureau said may constitute inciting to sedition and multiple counts of grave threats.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the evidence presented was sufficient to establish probable cause.

“Hindi ito alegasyon lamang. Kung probable cause ang pag-uusapan, ito (mga ebidensiya) ay sobra-sobra pa,” De Lima said.

“This [totality of revelations] is a red flag of the highest order,” she added.

Luistro said the hearings had provided ample opportunity for due process, noting that the Vice President did not appear to rebut the allegations despite repeated invitations.

“We have provided so much due process already,” Luistro said before the vote.

The impeachment complaints cite alleged betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, alleged bribery using such funds, threats against the President and his family, and unexplained wealth.

In response, Duterte’s camp said the outcome was expected, but maintained that the proceedings exceeded constitutional limits.

“The finding of probable cause by the House Committee on Justice was not unexpected, given the direction the proceedings had taken,” the defense said.

“We respectfully maintain that the proceedings before the Committee departed from the constitutional design. Instead of confining itself to the verified complaints and their attachments, the process expanded into matters that properly belong to a full trial,” it added.