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Threat Claims, Tax Records Take Center Stage In Duterte Impeachment Probe
Photo credit: Sara Duterte
The next hearing of the House Committee on Justice is shaping up to be a decisive moment in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte—with lawmakers zeroing in on alleged death threats, sealed tax records, and a possible vote on probable cause all in one day.
Set for April 29, the hearing will tackle one of the most serious accusations in the complaints: Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Committee chair Gerville Luistro said the panel is preparing for a focused and evidence-heavy session, particularly on the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lawmakers have already issued subpoenas requiring the NBI to present all digital and documentary evidence related to the alleged threats made in November 2024.
Unlike previous hearings, this session will feature only the NBI as the resource person—something Luistro says could streamline discussions and allow the committee to move faster toward a decision.
In fact, she signaled that by the end of the hearing, members are expected to vote on whether probable cause exists for each allegation laid out in the impeachment complaints.
Before that vote happens, however, the panel faces another critical decision: whether to open sealed tax records submitted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue involving Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
Luistro said the committee cannot wrap up its proceedings with unresolved matters, making the fate of the sealed records a key issue. If lawmakers decide not to open them, she suggested sending the documents—still sealed—to the Senate, which would later act as an impeachment court and determine whether it has the authority to access them.
That move, however, hinges on one major condition: the House panel must first vote in favor of probable cause.
The committee earlier held off on disclosing the tax records after running into legal limitations under the tax code, which restricts access to such documents unless requested by Congress under specific conditions and in executive session.
So far, no lawmaker has pushed for additional hearing dates, which Luistro interprets as a sign the panel is ready to conclude this phase of the process.
Set for April 29, the hearing will tackle one of the most serious accusations in the complaints: Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Committee chair Gerville Luistro said the panel is preparing for a focused and evidence-heavy session, particularly on the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Lawmakers have already issued subpoenas requiring the NBI to present all digital and documentary evidence related to the alleged threats made in November 2024.
Unlike previous hearings, this session will feature only the NBI as the resource person—something Luistro says could streamline discussions and allow the committee to move faster toward a decision.
In fact, she signaled that by the end of the hearing, members are expected to vote on whether probable cause exists for each allegation laid out in the impeachment complaints.
Before that vote happens, however, the panel faces another critical decision: whether to open sealed tax records submitted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue involving Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
Luistro said the committee cannot wrap up its proceedings with unresolved matters, making the fate of the sealed records a key issue. If lawmakers decide not to open them, she suggested sending the documents—still sealed—to the Senate, which would later act as an impeachment court and determine whether it has the authority to access them.
That move, however, hinges on one major condition: the House panel must first vote in favor of probable cause.
The committee earlier held off on disclosing the tax records after running into legal limitations under the tax code, which restricts access to such documents unless requested by Congress under specific conditions and in executive session.
So far, no lawmaker has pushed for additional hearing dates, which Luistro interprets as a sign the panel is ready to conclude this phase of the process.
Apr 23, 2026
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