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Abante Challenges VP Sara Show Up And Speak Under Oath
Photo credit: Congress PH
House Committee on Human Rights Chair Bienvenido Abante Jr. is throwing down a direct challenge to Sara Duterte ahead of what could be a crucial impeachment hearing on April 29: face the panel and answer the allegations head-on.
Speaking in a radio interview, Abante said there’s no reason for the Vice President to skip the proceedings if she has nothing to hide. Instead of addressing issues in media appearances, he stressed that the proper venue is the House Committee on Justice, where she can testify under oath.
For Abante, the message is simple—if Duterte believes she has done nothing wrong, then showing up should not be a problem. He urged her to take the opportunity to directly respond to the accusations rather than speak from the sidelines.
The Manila lawmaker, who co-endorsed one of the remaining impeachment complaints, said the April 29 hearing could be the panel’s final session before deciding on probable cause. That raises the stakes, making Duterte’s presence even more significant.
Duterte has so far skipped several hearings tied to the complaints, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and her controversial 2024 remarks involving Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Despite her absence, Abante said the invitation for Duterte to attend remains open. He admitted he does not expect her to suddenly appear but emphasized that the public deserves to hear her explanation directly.
If she chooses to attend, Abante assured that she will be given full opportunity to explain her side, stressing that the committee is committed to upholding due process.
He also pushed back on claims that Duterte is being denied fair treatment, saying the panel has consistently allowed her the chance to participate. For him, explaining through media platforms is not the same as facing a formal inquiry.
With April 29 possibly marking the final hearing, the committee is expected to decide whether there is enough basis to elevate the impeachment case to the House plenary—and eventually to a Senate trial.
Speaking in a radio interview, Abante said there’s no reason for the Vice President to skip the proceedings if she has nothing to hide. Instead of addressing issues in media appearances, he stressed that the proper venue is the House Committee on Justice, where she can testify under oath.
For Abante, the message is simple—if Duterte believes she has done nothing wrong, then showing up should not be a problem. He urged her to take the opportunity to directly respond to the accusations rather than speak from the sidelines.
The Manila lawmaker, who co-endorsed one of the remaining impeachment complaints, said the April 29 hearing could be the panel’s final session before deciding on probable cause. That raises the stakes, making Duterte’s presence even more significant.
Duterte has so far skipped several hearings tied to the complaints, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and her controversial 2024 remarks involving Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Despite her absence, Abante said the invitation for Duterte to attend remains open. He admitted he does not expect her to suddenly appear but emphasized that the public deserves to hear her explanation directly.
If she chooses to attend, Abante assured that she will be given full opportunity to explain her side, stressing that the committee is committed to upholding due process.
He also pushed back on claims that Duterte is being denied fair treatment, saying the panel has consistently allowed her the chance to participate. For him, explaining through media platforms is not the same as facing a formal inquiry.
With April 29 possibly marking the final hearing, the committee is expected to decide whether there is enough basis to elevate the impeachment case to the House plenary—and eventually to a Senate trial.
Apr 27, 2026
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