Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Vice President Sara Duterte announces her intention to run for the presidency in the 2028 national elections during a press conference at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Duterte outlines her priorities, including governance reforms, public service continuity, and national development. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP SARA DUTERTE

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Lawmakers on Sunday defended the House of Representatives’ handling of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing it is following the Supreme Court ruling that her lawyers sought when she was impeached in 2025.Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said hearings by the justice committee are in compliance with the SC ruling on due process.“Sabi nga nung nag-pen nito nasi Associate Justice [Marvic] Leonen, the House should be conscious about observing due process to be given to the respondent. And that is exactly what we are doing right now,” said Adiong, who also serves as House assistant majority leader.Adiong noted that the high court had struck down Duterte&#x27;s impeachment in 2025 as unconstitutional and laid out additional procedures that it said would ensure fairness, including requiring preliminary inquiries before elevating cases to plenary.He said the House has since adjusted its process to align with the ruling, contrary to criticism from Duterte’s camp.“So, we cannot be selective on how we respect the constitutional mandate regarding the observation of the House of Representatives right now, when it comes to adopting its own rules in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling,” Adiong said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/house-panel-to-subpoena-sara-duterte-saln-nbi-findings-on-threat-vs-marcos-1241">House panel to subpoena Sara Duterte SALN, NBI findings on threat vs Marcos</a></div>Meanwhile, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said skipping committee hearings despite being invited could be treated as a waiver of the opportunity to respond to allegations.“For as long as they were given the opportunity to be heard and they did not avail of that opportunity,” he said.Flores said that due process hinges on whether the respondent was given the chance to participate, not whether they chose to use it.His remarks come after Duterte’s camp declined to attend a House Committee on Justice hearing while continuing to question the legitimacy of the proceedings.Flores also clarified that attendance at hearings is generally by invitation, while subpoenas are issued only to individuals deemed necessary to clarify specific issues raised in the complaint.Among those subpoenaed, he said, were Duterte lawyer Michael Poa and certain officials from the Commission on Audit, following motions raised by House members.The House justice panel on March 25 approved motions to issue subpoenas related to Duterte’s impeachment hearing proper.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/sara-duterte-accuses-house-of-prioritizing-politics-as-impeachment-hearing-proper-starts-1111">Sara Duterte skips impeachment hearing proper, accuses House of prioritizing politics over public woes</a></div>

Lawmakers on Sunday defended the House of Representatives’ handling of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, rejecting claims that the process is a “kangaroo court” and warning that failure to attend hearings could forfeit the chance to answer allegations.

Lawmakers on Sunday defended the House of Representatives’ handling of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, rejecting claims that the process is a “kangaroo court” and warning that failure to attend hearings could forfeit the chance to answer allegations.

House leaders defend impeachment process, stress due process in SC ruling

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

House leaders defend impeachment process, stress due process in SC ruling

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 05, 2026 11:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Vice President Sara Duterte

Impeachment

House of Representatives

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.