VP Sara Duterte's DepEd Tenure Cannot Be Separated from Vice Presidential Role, Lawmaker Argues
In a recent House hearing, Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. emphasized that Vice President Sara Duterte does not possess a 'split personality' regarding her public service obligations. According to Abante, Duterte's actions during her tenure as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) are inherently linked to her broader responsibilities as vice president, based on the 'single personality doctrine.' This principle asserts that her conduct in both roles forms part of her overall duty to the public, making it inappropriate to isolate them in legal proceedings such as impeachment.
Debate Over Jurisdiction in Impeachment Case
The discussion arose in response to statements from Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who questioned the jurisdiction of the House Justice Committee over Duterte's actions as the former DepEd secretary. Rodriguez's inquiry sparked a broader debate on whether the committee has the authority to address allegations related to her time in that position, separate from her vice presidential role.
Bukidnon Representative Jonathan Keith Flores, vice chair of the committee, urged members to focus on the 'sufficiency in substance' of the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Duterte. He noted that the decision to use her defense as DepEd secretary ultimately rests with Duterte herself, highlighting the procedural aspects of the impeachment process.
Constitutional Basis for Unified Role
Representatives Joel Chua and Abante further reinforced the argument by pointing to the 1987 Constitution, which they claim underpins Duterte's appointment as DepEd chief based on her position as vice president. They argued that this constitutional linkage means her roles cannot be legally separated in impeachment proceedings, as her educational leadership was an extension of her vice presidential mandate.
This stance aims to clarify that any impeachment case should evaluate Duterte's actions holistically, considering her entire scope of public service rather than segmenting her duties. The hearing continues to explore these legal nuances as lawmakers deliberate on the implications for future impeachment processes involving officials with multiple governmental roles.
