Manila: The House of Representatives formally transmitted the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to the Senate on Wednesday night. This marks the commencement of the next phase in the constitutional impeachment process, setting the stage for a Senate trial.

According to Philippines News Agency, the impeachment complaint was approved by the House plenary with a decisive vote of 257-25, alongside nine abstentions. The transmission occurred at 7:22 p.m., facilitated by House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, who handed over the documents to Senate Secretary Mark Leandro Mendoza. Garafil noted that the process followed the completion of the reproduction, collation, and verification of the impeachment records, which reportedly comprised thousands of pages.

Garafil emphasized that the Secretariat prioritized ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the records before the transmission. "The transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment marks the beginning of the next constitutional phase of the process, and the House Secretariat made sure that all records were complete and in proper order prior to submission," Garafil stated. She further highlighted that maintaining the accuracy of the submission was a paramount concern.

The Articles of Impeachment are based on findings and recommendations from Committee Report No. 261, which the House adopted through House Resolution No. 989. The complaint includes allegations of misuse of confidential funds, constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other impeachable offenses.

Upon the formal transmittal, the Senate is constitutionally obligated to convene as an impeachment court to conduct a trial for the Vice President. The House leadership previously dismissed accusations that the transmittal was delayed for political reasons, asserting that the Secretariat focused on ensuring the integrity, completeness, and faithful reproduction of all records accompanying the impeachment complaint.

Lawmakers highlighted that the impeachment package encompasses a vast array of documentary evidence, transcripts, certifications, Commission on Audit findings, financial records, affidavits, and committee proceedings, all collected during extensive hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice.