VP Sara Duterte's Impeachment in a Nutshell

Timeline with Grounds for Impeachment:

1. December 2, 2024:
• A coalition of civil society leaders, families of victims of extrajudicial killings, and sectoral representatives filed the first impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives.
• Grounds included:
• Culpable Violation of the Constitution: Mismanagement of PHP 125 million in confidential funds in 2022 and PHP 650 million in 2023, with no adequate accounting.
• Graft and Corruption: Allegations of rigged bidding in the Department of Education (DepEd) and misallocation of over PHP 15 billion in unutilized funds.
• Bribery and Unexplained Wealth: Reports of PHP 111 million in personal accounts and joint accounts with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
• Betrayal of Public Trust: Failing to perform duties during crises (e.g., Typhoon Carina) and alleged inaction on Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
• High Crimes: Accusations of involvement in extrajudicial killings and issuing threats against high-ranking officials​
2. December 4, 2024:
• A second complaint, reportedly containing additional allegations, was filed and endorsed by several lawmakers. It focused on further financial discrepancies and failure to address transparency concerns​

Broader Context:

• The allegations also referenced systemic issues linked to the Duterte administration, including a culture of impunity and the controversial war on drugs under Rodrigo Duterte.
• Duterte’s defense claimed that her statements and actions were misinterpreted and insisted on her commitment to her duties. President Marcos has discouraged impeachment, emphasizing its limited impact on improving the lives of Filipinos​

The impeachment process now awaits deliberation in the House of Representatives, where the charges could potentially escalate to a Senate trial.

Photo Credits: Office Of The Vice President