Manila, Philippines — In a unanimous vote last week, the House Justice Committee determined that there exists a probable cause to pursue the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte for a proper trial.
And in a unanimous vote on the May 4 hearing, the Committee formally approved the articles of impeachment against Duterte.
In a 55 out of 55 vote, the panel unanimously passed the committee report and resolution confirming last week’s determination, and approved its transmittal to the House plenary.
The members of the Congress will vote in a plenary session, needing the favor of at least 1/3 or 106 out of the 318 House members to confirm the impeachment of Duterte, before it can be transmitted to the Senate, who will stand as an impeachment court.
During Monday’s hearing, the committee amended some typographical and technical errors in the committee report before formally approving the matter.
Members of the committee expect that the committee report will be voted on the House plenary by the second week of May.
If the needed number of members votes in favor of the report, it will be the second time that Duterte will be impeached by the House of Representatives.
On the Senate’s end, the members have had a discussion in preparation for the possible trial, with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto assuring to start the process as soon as the impeachment articles are transmitted.