𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀—𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀?

The House Committee on Justice is aiming to wrap up its impeachment hearings vs. Vice President Sara Duterte by April 29, signaling the end of the panel’s evidence-gathering phase and the start of the next, bigger political fight: bringing the case to the full House for debate and a potential vote.

Panel member Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the committee is already nearing the end, with key agencies and resource persons lined up for the remaining hearing dates. If the committee closes on April 29, the plan is to transmit a committee report to the plenary once Congress resumes on May 4—a step that could move the impeachment process closer to a possible Senate trial if the numbers in the House fall into place.

Adiong also made it clear the committee isn’t deciding guilt—only whether there’s probable cause to push the case forward under the Constitution. After the report is elevated, lawmakers will have room to scrutinize findings, debate, and grill the sponsor—Justice Committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro—before anything is adopted.

The complaints on the table accuse Duterte of betrayal of public trust and possible constitutional violations, anchored on allegations tied to confidential and intelligence funds during her time at the Office of the Vice President and as DepEd secretary, alongside issues raised about asset declarations and reported threats against top government officials. Bottom line: April 29 may end the hearings—but it won’t end the war. It just moves the fight from committee room to the national stage.