Duterte faces impeachment complaint

Metro Manila, Philippines — Multi-sectoral groups have filed an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and was endorsed by a lawmaker.

Sixteen individuals from advocacy groups, religious sectors, and families of tokhang (knock and plead) – or the deadly Duterte drug war – victims of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, submitted the complaint to the House of Representatives on Monday, Dec. 2.

Of the six grounds for impeachment, the complaint listed five: culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña endorsed the complaint, citing as offenses “abuse of power and plunder of the nation’s coffers.”

“Panahon na para isara ng taumbayan ang bangunot na dulot ni Sara. The Filipino people deserve a vice president who is ethical, accountable, and committed to public service—not one who weaponises authority for personal gain,” Cendaña said in a statement.

[Translation: It is time for Filipinos to end the nightmare that Sara brought.]

“The effort to hold Sara Duterte accountable is inseparable from the broader campaign to make her father and their allies answer for their high crimes,” he added.

Cendaña said the culture of impunity and graft will only be eradicated if those who are responsible will be held accountable.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that he sent a message to House representatives discouraging the filing of an impeachment complaint as it will not benefit Filipinos.

READ: Makabayan bloc: Marcos rejection of impeachment vs Duterte violation of separation of powers

Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives initiates all cases of impeachment while the Senate conducts the trial and decides on the cases.

Any House member or any citizen with an endorsement from a House lawmaker can initiate the complaint.

Besides Marcos frowning on efforts to impeach the vice president – a direct message to his allies who dominate the House led by his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, the complaint faces a tight congressional schedule.

The complaint must be included in the order of business within 10 session days then be referred to a committee within three session days. The session will adjourn on Dec. 21 for the Christmas break.

Congress will resume session on Jan. 13 next year, and will go on break in February for the campaign period for the midterm elections in May. Session resumes in June for only two weeks before the third regular session comes to a close.

The impeachment resolution may also be automatically transmitted to the Senate for trial if it collected the required one-third of signatures from House representatives.

An impeachment case may only be filed against the same official once a year, and for the Duterte complaint, the holding period is until Dec. 2, 2025.

While the House majority said it is not discussing any impeachment, Cendaña believes lawmakers will back the complaint.

“Naniniwala tayo na matindi ‘yung merits ng ating impeachment complaint, at naniniwala din tayo dito sa mga kasama natin sa Kongreso. ‘Pag nakita nila na malakas itong ating complaint, malakas itong kasong ito, they will support it,” Cendaña said in an interview.

[Translation: We believe that the merits of the impeachment complaint are solid, and we believe in our colleagues in the Congress. When they see that the complaint is strong, they will support it.]

Duterte has yet to comment on the complaint.