Two separate impeachment complaints have been filed against Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives, both citing “betrayal of public trust” as grounds, following the recent lifting of her one-year immunity against impeachment, February 2.
Progressive groups and members of the Makabayan bloc endorsed and filed the first complaint before the Office of the House Secretary General, accusing Duterte of gross abuse of discretionary powers over P612.5 million in confidential funds from December 2022 to the third quarter of 2023.
It also alleges she disregarded transparency and accountability by ordering subordinates to prepare questionable accomplishment and liquidation reports, including allegedly falsified documents submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA).
Furthermore, the complaint cites dereliction of duty for allegedly refusing to recognize Congress’ oversight authority during budget deliberations and legislative inquiries.
Questions were also raised about alleged fictitious individuals signing acknowledgement receipts for confidential expenses.
Meanwhile, a second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was filed by a coalition of civil society leaders, citing alleged misuse of confidential funds and her purported tolerance of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
Tindig Pilipinas convenor Kiko Aquino Dee and several religious leaders led the petition, while Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima endorsed it.
The second complaint lists five articles of impeachment, accusing the VP of constitutional violations, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
In response, VP Duterte’s defense team said it is ready to face the newly filed impeachment complaints, asserting that the allegations lack factual and legal basis.
Lawyer Michael Poa said the filings “come as no surprise” and stressed that impeachment is a constitutional process governed by evidence and due process.
Poa added that impeachment “is not merely a political process initiated by mere allegations or by perceived public acclaim shaped by the propagandistic effect of timed press releases or irresponsible viral posts on social media.”
In its 2025 decision, the Court said complainants had to wait until February 6, 2026 to file a new impeachment complaint against the Vice President.
However, in its latest ruling, the SC clarified that the one-year bar actually ended on January 15, 2026, explaining that the one-year period began on January 14, 2025, when the 10-session-day rule was breached by the first complaint.
This means complainants no longer have to wait until February 6 to file new impeachment complaints.
As a result, groups may now file new impeachment complaints against the VP this year, prompting the filings done today.
Article XI, Section 3(5) of the 1987 Constitution prohibits more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official within one year.
