List of 54 Representatives Who Voted VP Sara Duterte’s Impeachment “Sufficient in Substance”

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Justice officially advanced the 2026 impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, March 4, voting 54–1 to declare two separate complaints “sufficient in substance.”

The decision by the 55-member panel marks the transition of the impeachment process from a technical review to a substantive inquiry. By finding the complaints sufficient in substance, the committee has determined that the allegations—if proven true—constitute impeachable offenses under the 1987 Constitution.

Key Developments in the Committee Vote

The hearing, chaired by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, focused on two specific filings that survived the initial “one-year bar” review: the “Saballa complaint,” filed by members of the clergy and endorsed by Rep. Leila de Lima, and the “Cabrera complaint,” endorsed by Reps. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Paolo Ortega V.

Both complaints were approved through identical 54–1 votes. Representative Bong Suntay of Quezon City’s 4th District was the sole dissenter, while no members abstained. The vote occurred just days after the committee set aside a separate complaint from the Makabayan coalition for being filed on February 2, four days before the one-year constitutional prohibition lapsed on February 6.

The “Justice 54”: Members Who Voted “Yes”

These members were present and voted to advance the impeachment complaints to the Probable Cause stage:

  1. Ramon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list)
  2. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District)
  3. Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District)
  4. Mikaela Angela Suansing (Nueva Ecija, 1st District)
  5. Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro, 1st District)
  6. Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales, 1st District)
  7. Francisco Paolo Ortega (La Union, 1st District)
  8. Jude Acidre (Tingog Party-list)
  9. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. (Manila, 1st District)
  10. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Manila, 6th District)
  11. Romeo Acop (Antipolo, 2nd District)
  12. Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District)
  13. Fidel Nograles (Rizal, 4th District)
  14. Dante Garcia (La Union, 2nd District)
  15. Andrew Julian Romualdez (Tingog Party-list)
  16. Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District)
  17. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II (Butuan City)
  18. Bernadette Barbers (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District)
  19. Julienne Baronda (Iloilo City)
  20. Maria Rachel Arenas (Pangasinan, 3rd District)
  21. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list)
  22. Jaime Fresnedi (Muntinlupa City)
  23. Olga “Ara” Kho (Masbate, 2nd District)
  24. Ramon Nolasco Jr. (Cagayan, 1st District)
  25. Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar (Palawan, 2nd District)
  26. Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th District)
  27. Arturo Celeste Sr. (Pangasinan, 1st District)
  28. Lourdes Matibag (Laguna, 1st District)
  29. Yasser Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District)
  30. Lex Anthony Colada (AAMBIS-OWA Party-list)
  31. Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Party-list)
  32. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa City)
  33. Yedda Romualdez (Tingog Party-list)
  34. Amparo Zamora (Taguig City, 2nd District)
  35. Marvin Rillo (Quezon City, 4th District)
  36. Raul Tupas (Iloilo, 5th District)
  37. Irwin Tieng (Manila, 5th District)
  38. Rolando Valeriano (Manila, 2nd District)
  39. Manuel Fortes Jr. (Sorsogon, 2nd District)
  40. Emerson Pascual (Nueva Ecija, 4th District)
  41. Presley De Jesus (PHILRECA Party-list)
  42. Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District)
  43. Sergio Dagooc (APEC Party-list)
  44. Loreto Amante (Laguna, 3rd District)
  45. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list)
  46. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party)
  47. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list)
  48. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Party-list)
  49. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps Party-list)
  50. Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan, 2nd District)
  51. Gabriel Bordado Jr. (Camarines Sur, 3rd District)
  52. Aniela Tolentino (Cavite, 8th District)
  53. Jaime Cojuangco (Tarlac, 1st District)
  54. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan, 6th District)

Background Context

Under the 1987 Constitution, the House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment. The process follows a strict hierarchy: Sufficiency in Form, followed by Sufficiency in Substance, and finally a determination of Probable Cause.

The current 2026 complaints focus on allegations of “culpable violation of the Constitution” and “betrayal of public trust,” primarily regarding the use of ₱500 million in confidential funds and a publicized assassination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

What Happens Next

Following the March 4 vote, the Committee on Justice will issue a formal notice to Vice President Duterte. Under the House Rules of Procedure, the Vice President has a non-extendible period of 10 calendar days from receipt of notice to file her verified answer.

If the Vice President fails to file an answer, it will be treated as a general denial, and the committee will proceed to the determination of probable cause. The committee has 60 session days from the initial referral to submit its final report to the House Plenary.

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