THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday voted to subpoena the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of Vice President Sara Duterte and other documents as it began hearings to determine whether there is probable cause to impeach her.
The committee said it would subpoena the Office of the Ombudsman for Duterte's SALNs from 2022-2025, 2007-2013, and 2016-2022.
The committee also decided to issue a subpoena for records of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigation on her threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Also on Wednesday, the committee, voting 29-1, ruled to issue a subpoena to Ramil Madriaga, Duterte's alleged bagman, to testify and to produce his affidavit dated Nov. 29, 2025, and any other evidence in his possession.
The committee, voting 35-1, granted the motion of Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno for Madriaga's protection.
Diokno said his motion was for the committee to "make sure that there is additional security provided to Madriaga in his present place of detention." "Second, that both in the transport when he is required to come here to testify and while he is testifying [...] that adequate security be provided to him", Diokno said.
Madriaga is detained over a kidnapping case.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the committee, said in a press conference that they would have to coordinate with the court and with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology because these have jurisdiction over Madriaga.
In a press conference, panel chairman and Batangas Rep. Gervillev Luistro said they have directed the House Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and its security office to coordinate with the BJMP to make sure that all measures in line with his protective custody will be observed when he attends the hearing.
Also on Wednesday, the committee, voting 34-2, decided to issue a subpoena for the income tax returns (ITRs) of Duterte and her spouse from 2007-2025.
Ridon made the motion for a representative of the Bureau of Internal Revenue to bring the original or certified true copies of the yearly ITRs.
The committee granted Ridon's motion to issue a subpoena to a representative from the Securities and Exchange Commission and for certified true copies of the general information sheet and audited financial statements of entities he enumerated.
The committee also ordered the issuance of a subpoena to lawyer Michael Poa, a former undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The committee proceeded with the hearing even as it received information that Duterte would not join the proceedings.
Luistro said at the start of the hearing that "regardless of the participation of the vice president and even in her absence, this committee will proceed.” “We will do our duty with resolve, without hesitation, and without delay,” she added.
Luistro said the committee is committed to a fair and constitutional conduct of the proceedings.
“Let us be reminded that this hearing... is intended for the determination of probable cause, not for the purpose of determining the guilt or innocence of the respondent," she said.
"I reiterate that what is happening before the Justice committee is not a trial," she said.
Luistro said the panel would welcome the vice president and her counsel at any stage of the proceedings.
Four impeachment complaints were filed last month against Duterte. The committee set aside the first one, finding that it violated the rule against initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official more than once within a one-year period. The second one filed was withdrawn by the 17 people who filed it.
The third one was filed by priests and others who alleged, among others, that Duterte committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayed the public trust in connection with confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2022 and 2023 and confidential funds allocated for 2023 to the DepEd which Duterte led as secretary before she resigned in 2024 from that post.
This complaint also alleged that Duterte committed culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayed the public trust and committed high crimes "in contracting to murder or assassinate" President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romualdez. The complaint cited a Nov. 23, 2024 briefing with the media in which she said, "[...] may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez (I have spoken to someone and told him if I am killed, kill Marcos, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez)."
The fourth impeachment complaint was filed on Feb. 18, 2026 by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and alleged that Duterte "committed acts that constitute culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, by publicly admitting the contracting of an assassin.”
On Wednesday, Duterte said she chose not to attend the first impeachment hearing to devote her time to serving Filipinos through providing assistance "to ease the financial burden of the families most in need." She also called on the committee to junk the impeachment complaints against her for "lack of evidence."
In a statement, Duterte said that the invitation to attend the hearing was used to construct a media narrative of a "mini trial" based on her alleged refusal to answer and her failure to attend the hearing.
"In this manner, the hearings are being used by the House of Representatives to conduct yet another third fishing expedition against me," Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Duterte's lawyers said she is always ready to answer the allegations raised against her, provided it is in the proper forum — the Senate Impeachment Court — noting that they are only questioning the jurisdiction of the House Justice Committee in holding what it described as a "mini-trial." In a press briefing on Wednesday, Shiela Sison of Fortun Narvasa and Salazar law office said that under the Constitution, only the Senate has the power to conduct the impeachment trial.
"The same does not give the committee any power or jurisdiction to conduct any form of trial, whether a mini or full-blown one, much less try and receive evidence," Sison said. REINA TOLENTINO, RED MENDOZA