Original Source
Philippine House to Proceed with Duterte Impeachment Hearings as Supreme Court Declines Intervention
Impeachment Proceedings to Continue Without Supreme Court Intervention
The Philippine House Justice Committee is set to hold a second hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on April 14, 2026. This development follows the Supreme Court's decision not to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the impeachment proceedings. House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III affirmed that the Justice Committee would proceed in accordance with the Constitution and its rules, through an evidence-based process. Several lawmakers welcomed the Supreme Court's non-issuance of a TRO, expressing hopes for judicial restraint to allow the proceedings to continue.
Key Individuals Summoned and Focus of Hearing
The House Justice Panel has issued summons for Atty. Michael Wesley T. Poa, counsel for the Vice President, and Atty. Melvin A. Matibag, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to appear at the April 14 hearing. Poa is expected to testify on matters relating to the use of confidential funds during Duterte's tenure as Chief of Staff when she was Education Secretary from 2022 to 2023. The NBI has been ordered to submit records of its investigation into threats allegedly made by Duterte against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos, Jr., First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Cacho Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, Sr.. Some lawmakers believe Ramil Madriaga, a self-confessed bagman, should be given priority to speak at the hearing.
*Source: YouTube: ABS-CBN News (2026-04-10)*
