Jasha Gamao

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the filing of new impeachment complaints on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, stating the move "comes as no surprise."

In an official statement, the Vice President's camp emphasized the recent ruling of the Supreme Court that impeachment must be a constitutional process governed by evidence rather than "perceived public acclaim" or "irresponsible viral posts."

The defense maintained that the filings are a product of a propagandistic effort to sway public opinion rather than a legitimate legal pursuit.

This latest legal offensive follows the Supreme Court's recent guidance on the constitutional limits of impeachment proceedings. Citing the high court, Duterte's team argued that the process must strictly adhere to standards of due process and factual basis.

The complaints, filed by the Makabayan bloc and a coalition of civil society leaders, revive allegations of fund misuse and betrayal of public trust. These are claims that the Vice President's camp insists have already been addressed or lack merit.

Duterte's legal team declared they are prepared to "confront these allegations squarely" through proper constitutional channels. Expressing full confidence in a fair and impartial review, the defense asserted that the accusations are "devoid of both factual and legal basis."

As the House of Representatives begins its deliberations, the Vice President remains steadfast, positioning the complaints as a political maneuver rather than a valid challenge to her office.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate Sub-committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation met on February 3, 2026, to fast-track amendments to the 30-year-old Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act. 

Presiding over the hearing, Senator Win Gatchalian said that the six proposed measures are critical to modernizing teacher qualifications and directly improving student outcomes. 

The reforms address what he called a 'misalignment' in current licensing and aim to ensure that only the most prepared educators enter Filipino classrooms.

During the session, Gatchalian called on government agencies and education stakeholders for "transformative" inputs to refine the bill. Key proposals include specialized licensure exams for early childhood and special needs educators, as well as stricter requirements for the Board for Professional Teachers. 

By refocusing the law on high-quality standards from procedural registration to quality standards, the committee aims to build a more competent teaching force capable of meeting the demands of 21st-century learning.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Tourism, led by Senator JV Ejercito, launched a sweeping inquiry on Tuesday, February 3, into the soaring costs of domestic travel and the country’s lagging infrastructure. 

Lawmakers slammed the current state of local travel, noting that it is often more expensive for Filipinos to fly within their own provinces than to travel abroad. 

Ejercito emphasized that the Department of Tourism (DOT) must prioritize fixing broken infrastructure—from dilapidated seaports to congested airports—to ensure that the National Tourism Development Plan actually translates into an affordable reality for everyday citizens.

The hearing took a sharp turn as Senator Raffy Tulfo confronted Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco over allegations of "self-promotion" in marketing materials. 

Tulfo presented slides of magazines and promotional displays where Frasco’s image was prominently featured, Likening the Secretary's visibility to that of a "vlogger" rather than a promoter of destinations. 

Frasco fired back, asserting that her presence on the ground across 56 provinces was about accountability and leadership, not optics. She further clarified that a controversial magazine cover in Japan was published without her consent or the use of government funds.

Beyond the heated exchanges, the panel shifted focus to legislative measures aimed at making Philippine tourism more inclusive. 

Senators discussed bills specifically designed to mandate PWD-friendly and senior-citizen-accessible facilities at all major tourist sites. 

By pushing for stricter safety protocols and universal design standards, the committee aims to transform the Philippines into a destination that is not only world-class in beauty but also accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of physical ability or age.

QUEZON CITY—The House Committee on Justice officially declared the second impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. sufficient in form during a high-stakes hearing on Monday, February 2. 

With a decisive 35-9-1 vote, the panel confirmed that the document, filed by Liza Largoza Maza and several co-petitioners, meets the necessary procedural requirements to move forward.

The proceedings took a dramatic turn immediately following the vote when Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante staged a walkout. Abante, a vocal critic of the move, exited the session hall to signal his strong objection to the committee's decision. 

"Realizing that this is actually an exercise in futility and a waste of the people's money, I therefore would like to walk out of this hearing right now," said Abante.

With this crucial decision, the committee is now set to deliberate on whether the complaint is sufficient in substance. This next phase will determine if the charges leveled by Maza’s group provide enough factual and legal basis to warrant a formal trial. 

QUEZON CITY—A coalition of civil society leaders led by Tindig Pilipinas filed a fresh impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday morning, February 2. 

Endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, the complaint accuses the Vice President of culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. 

Prominent figures including Kiko Aquino Dee, Ging Deles, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva were among the petitioners to spearhead the filing.

This latest legal challenge is the second to be filed today, coming shortly after a separate complaint from the Makabayan bloc. 

As the House Committee on Justice prepares to deliberate on these filings, the petitioners emphasized that the move is a necessary step toward ending a "culture of impunity" and holding the nation’s second-highest official accountable for alleged administrative and criminal lapses.

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