Vice President Sara Duterte has issued a forceful condemnation of the impeachment complaints lodged against her, describing the entire effort as a politically tainted "fishing expedition" built on falsehoods. In a recent statement, she warned the public to be wary of disinformation and what she characterized as underhanded political tactics.
Duterte's Accusations: From 'Fishing' to Budget Bargains
Duterte asserted that the constitutional impeachment process has been severely compromised. She specifically targeted the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which is reviewing the complaint. The Vice President claimed the committee launched a "full-blown fishing expedition" last year, searching not for truth but for any material that could be manipulated to build a case against her.
She escalated her allegations by tying the impeachment push directly to congressional budget negotiations. Duterte stated that signatures in support of her impeachment were being solicited in exchange for favorable budget allocations, a practice she said has been acknowledged by some lawmakers. She condemned this, saying it reduced the solemn constitutional process to a mere marketplace transaction.
A Call for Public Vigilance and Continued Service
In her appeal to Filipinos, Duterte urged discernment in the face of what she labeled smear campaigns. She switched to Filipino to drive her point home: "Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na maging mapanuri at huwag basta magpapadala sa mga paninira. Hindi ito tungkol sa paghahanap ng katotohanan — ito ay tungkol sa pagtakip ng nakawan sa kaban ng bayan na hanggang ngayon ay walang nananagot." (I encourage our countrymen to be critical and not be easily swayed by smear campaigns. This is not about finding the truth — this is about covering up the theft from the public treasury for which no one has yet been held accountable.)
Despite the political turmoil, Duterte assured the public that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) remains focused on its duty to provide efficient and accessible services to the people. She also called for steadfastness amid economic challenges and continued prayers for peace.
Current Status of the Impeachment Complaint
As of now, the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte have not advanced significantly. The complaint is still with the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which is in the preliminary stage of assessing whether the allegations have sufficient form and substance.
No committee report has been issued, and no plenary debates or House vote have been scheduled. For the case to move to a Senate trial, it must first be endorsed by the House plenary. Therefore, formal impeachment proceedings are not yet underway, and the process remains in its initial review phase.
