House panel sets aside 1st impeach rap vs. VP Sara for violating 1-year bar rule

The House committee on justice voted Monday to set aside the first impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte for violating the one-year bar rule that only allows initiation of one impeachment proceedings against an official per year.

This happened after the House justice panel, via a 22-10 vote, approved the motion put forward by Bukidnon Rep. Keith Flores to set aside the first complaint endorsed by the Makabayan lawmakers. 

This complaint accused the Vice President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential fund..

“By setting [it] aside, it means it will be no longer be included in the proceedings of this committee,” House justice panel chairperson Gerville Luistro said.

This means that only two impeachment complaints against the Vice President are left, since the second complaint was withdrawn by Tindig Pilipinas to support the third complaint with same allegations.

The first impeachment complaint was filed by former ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, among others, on February 2.

The House of Representatives has impeached the Vice President last February 2025, but it was later ruled illegal by the Supreme Court for violation of the one-year bar rule. —AOL, GMA Integrated News