EMBATTLED Vice President Sara Duterte “welcomes” the filing of two impeachment complaints against her, amid the ongoing issues involving her personnel at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and her former staff at the Department of Education (DepEd).
“I welcome the fact that the impeachment cases, which they’ve been talking about filing since last year, have finally been filed,” she said in an interview streamed on Dec. 9, 2024.
She added, “It’s okay that the impeachment case has been filed because it’s only me being targeted. I’m the one being investigated and attacked in this case. My colleagues at the OVP and my former colleagues at the DepEd are not included. This will finally provide a clear answer to the accusations against me.”
In a separate interview with the media, Duterte stated that having impeachment cases filed is beneficial because it provides an opportunity to address the accusations against her within the legal framework. “It’s better that there are impeachment cases so that any accusations can be properly addressed, as our laws regarding impeachment are clear and well-established,” she said.
She also noted, “It’s better that the impeachment is focused on me, as it ensures that the members of the House of Representatives are only targeting me. They are no longer terrorizing my colleagues in the OVP.”
Meanwhile, various groups have filed two separate impeachment complaints against Duterte.
The first complaint was filed by the Akbayan party list and several civil society groups, led by Representative Perci Cendaña and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) first nominee and former Senator Leila de Lima.
Formally endorsed by Cendaña, the complaint has 17 signatories and is based on five of the six possible grounds for impeachment: alleged “culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.”
It was officially received by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco at the House of Representatives (HOR) on Dec. 2, 2024.
Two days later, the Makabayan Coalition filed a second complaint against Duterte, alleging “betrayal of public trust” in connection with the use of her confidential funds.
This complaint, which has 75 signatories representing various people’s organizations, was endorsed by Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel.
It was formally submitted to Velasco at the HOR on Dec. 4, 2024.
Sara Duterte may face plunder charges
Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop clarified that the lack of transparency and improper use of public funds did not comply with the law.
Acop further stated that, based on the committee’s investigation, the allocation of confidential funds for the OVP and DepEd was used in a way that violated COA-DBM Joint Circular No. 2015-01.
Additionally, Acop mentioned that trusted aides of VP Sara Duterte could also face charges of plunder, technical malversation, falsification of public documents, and bribery.
Legal experts have warned that those found guilty of these crimes could face imprisonment ranging from six to twelve years.
According to the committee’s investigation, the special disbursing officers, Gina Acosta from the OVP and Edward Fajarda from the DepEd, were responsible for handling the confidential funds without proper documentation.
Screenshot photo of Rhoda Grace B Saron
