Sara Duterte slapped with new impeachment complaint

Another impeachment complaint was filed against Vice President Sara Duterte before the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

More than 70 individuals from various sectors filed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte. The Office of the Secretary General received it at 3:30 p.m.

The complaint was endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, Gabriela Women's Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, according to the office.

Some of the complainants are members of Bayan Muna, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Kabataan Party-list, Gabriela Women’s Party, Rise Up for Life and Rights, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Karapatan, Piston, other progressive groups, and student leaders.

In their complaint, they argued that Duterte betrayed public trust by her “abuse of discretionary powers” over confidential funds, her disregard for transparency and accountability, and her dereliction of duty over her willful refusal to recognize Congressional oversight during budget deliberations.

“The betrayal of public trust evident in respondent’s actions represents a fundamental breach of the covenant between public servant and citizen— a breach so severe that it can only be remedied by her removal from office through impeachment with the penalty of permanent disqualification from holding public office,” the complaint read.

“It is time to put an end to the regime of fiscal impunity that has plagued the Office of the Vice President since 2022,” it added.

The impeachment complaint has been filed. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/4xb9Xquqj6

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) December 4, 2024

This comes two days after advocacy groups filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte on December 2, Monday.

Meanwhile, two lawmakers said the House of Representatives will process the impeachment complaint due to its constitutional mandate.

READ: How impeachment works in the Philippines

Meanwhile, Secretary General Reginald Velasco will transmit all the complaints to the Office of the Speaker.

“We assure the public that this process will be conducted with integrity, guided by the principles of due process and adherence to the Constitution,” he said.

“The House remains steadfast in protecting public trust and ensuring that the democratic process is upheld,” he added.

The office called on all parties involved to respect the legal proceedings and allow the process to take its course.

For his part, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said he is not supportive of any impeachment plan against Duterte, believing that it would not benefit the lives of Filipinos.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News