VP IMEACHMENT LOOMS: HOUSE POISED FOR 1/3 VOTE ON 4TH COMPLAINT.

Описание: The announcement by Congressman Benny Abante regarding the potential impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte centers on a specific constitutional "fast-track" mechanism.

As of late February 2026, a fourth impeachment complaint has been filed and endorsed by Abante. The potential for this to move quickly hinges on Article XI, Section 3(4) of the Philippine Constitution.

The "One-Third" Shortcut
Under the 1987 Constitution, there are two primary ways an impeachment moves to the Senate:

The Standard Route: A complaint is filed, referred to the Committee on Justice, debated for "sufficiency in form and substance," and then voted upon by the House.

The Direct Route: If a verified complaint or resolution is signed by at least one-third (1/3) of all Members of the House, it automatically constitutes the Articles of Impeachment.

Why It Matters Now
Bypassing the Committee: If Abante and his allies secure the signatures of roughly 103 to 105 congressmen (1/3 of the current House membership), the complaint skips the lengthy Committee on Justice hearings entirely.

Immediate Transmittal: Once the 1/3 threshold is met and verified in plenary, the House is constitutionally mandated to transmit the case to the Senate, which then convenes as an Impeachment Court.

Timing: Following the Supreme Court's January 2026 ruling—which finalized the nullification of a previous 2025 impeachment attempt on technical grounds—the "one-year bar" against new proceedings expired on February 6, 2026. This has opened a fresh legal window for the current complaints.

The Allegations
The current push, led by Abante and other lawmakers, is fueled by:

SALN Discrepancies: Allegations of undisclosed assets and unexplained wealth.

Confidential Funds: Continued scrutiny over the use of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds at the OVP and DepEd.

Security Threats: Statements made by the VP regarding the President’s security, which complainants label as "high crimes" or "betrayal of public trust."

Current Outlook
While Congressman Abante expresses confidence in mustering the numbers by Monday, the success of this move depends on whether the House leadership is willing to call for a vote or if the "Super Majority" remains cohesive. Vice President Duterte has recently countered these moves by announcing her 2028 Presidential bid, a move seen by analysts as an attempt to frame the impeachment as purely "political persecution."