VP Sara Duterte faces 2nd impeachment complaint in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — On Wednesday, December 4, Vice President Sara Duterte was the subject of a second impeachment complaint just a few days after the first.The second complaint, however, only cited betrayal of public trust as grounds for impeachment, rather than graft, corruption, bribery, and other high crimes in the first complaint. 

The second complaint was filed by over 70 organizations representing marginalized, labor, peasant, environmental, student, and rights groups. 

House Secretary General Reginal Velasco swore in lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc, which endorsed the impeachment complaint. Representatives Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), and France Castro (ACT Teachers Partylist) endorsed the resolution.

A former Bayan Muna Representative said in a statement that the allegations of betrayal of public trust stem from the alleged “abuse, misuse, and wastage” of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds from Duterte’s office, including the Vice President’s Office (OVP) and, previously, the Education Department (DepEd).).

Accounting of confidential funds through accomplishment reports and acknowledgment receipts raises “red flags.”.

By instructing the Commission on Audit to disregard the subpoena for reports on the OVP and DepEd, Duterte attempted to “obstruct” the congressional investigation.  

“We call on Congress to act swiftly on this impeachment complaint. The Filipino people, especially our taxpayers, who bear the burden of funding government operations, deserve accountability from their second highest official,” he said.

Why only one ground?

During the press conference, former Bayan Muna Rep.Neri Colmenares, one of the complainants, said they decided to cite betrayal of public trust as the only ground because it is “all encompassing.”

Additionally, he explained that impeachment could be done in just one month with a single ground for impeachment. 

He compared it with the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012, which took about four months due to the three grounds and eight articles involved.

As a result of Colmenares’ reasoning, Cassio believes the vice president’s impeachment must be expedited.  

There is one ground, three acts. In Hindi, magtatagal na ito. There is a factor na nagmamadali tayo. ‘Kailangan lang naman sa impeachment with just one act, one ground to impeach a high official,’ he said.  

This won’t take long because we are in a hurry. Well, in an impeachment case, one act and one ground is enough to impeach a high official.

Congress faces a challenge

According to Brosas, the impeachment complaints remind lawmakers of the Filipino people’s call, especially in light of the congressional investigation into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds.

Duterte’s impeachment is not meant to dictate like Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appeal to Congress not to proceed. 

In other words, separation of powers is what we’re saying. Taking the Kongreso into consideration, she said, “Dito dapat tumindig ang Kongreso.”.

It is here where Congress should stand firm on separation of powers.

The Congress, despite Marcos’ request, is challenged to fulfill its “mandate-bound duty” to process the impeachment complaint because there is a “system of checks and balances.” 

Legislators in the House have also said in several statements and press conferences that they will continue to consider any complaints lodged against the vice president, regardless of whether the lower chamber has an impeachment agenda. 

The complaints should be referred to the Committee on Justice for consideration, followed by a plenary discussion. 

The House of Representatives must approve an impeachment case by a majority of at least one-third of its 300 members before a Senate trial can begin.