Members of the House of Representatives will be given five days to study the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte before voting on the matter in plenary, as the chamber moves closer to deciding whether to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.

The development follows the House Committee on Justice’s unanimous 55-0 approval of the committee report and accompanying resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment, based on its finding of probable cause against the vice president.

House Justice Committee Chairperson Gerville Luistro said lawmakers must be given sufficient time to review the documents before casting their votes, emphasizing that the plenary decision will be crucial in determining the next step of the constitutional process.

Once the committee report is transmitted to the plenary, the 318-member House is expected to deliberate and vote on or around May 11. If at least one-third of all members approve the impeachment, the case will be forwarded to the Senate, which will act as an impeachment court.

Justice Committee officials said the approved articles are anchored on evidence gathered during hearings, with Rep. Luistro stressing that the panel followed constitutional procedures and based its findings on records and testimonies presented.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor noted that while some lawmakers may still support Vice President Duterte, they would have to justify their position to constituents amid growing scrutiny on accountability issues.

Meanwhile, the National Unity Party (NUP), led by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, urged House leadership to respect the independence of each member’s vote, whether in favor or against the impeachment, emphasizing the importance of institutional autonomy in the process.

The impeachment case marks a significant step in one of the most closely watched political proceedings in recent years, with the Senate trial expected to follow if the House meets the constitutional threshold.