Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend a scheduled House of Representatives hearing on impeachment complaints against her, her legal counsel confirmed, as proceedings move forward in a politically charged case.
Attorney Michael Poa, one of Duterte’s lawyers, said the vice president would skip the March 25 hearing before the House Committee on Justice. He added that her legal team had instead submitted a formal communication to the panel citing constitutional concerns over the proceedings.
The hearing marks a key step in the impeachment process, which began earlier this month after lawmakers determined that complaints against Duterte were sufficient in form and substance to proceed.
The House panel had invited Duterte to attend and respond to allegations that include corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and other accusations tied to her tenure in government.
Her absence comes despite calls from lawmakers and civil society groups urging her to face the accusations publicly as part of due process.
Multiple impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte in recent months, reflecting intensifying political tensions in the Philippines. The cases stem from a range of allegations, including financial irregularities and actions deemed a betrayal of public trust, all of which she has denied.
If the House committee finds probable cause after its hearings, the case could advance to the Senate, which would convene as an impeachment court to determine whether Duterte should be removed from office.
The impeachment proceedings also unfold amid a broader political rift between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., once allies but now increasingly at odds ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks as lawmakers continue deliberations on whether to elevate the complaints for trial.
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