Third impeachment complaint vs Duterte filed

Metro Manila, Philippines - A third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was filed with the House of Representatives on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Religious leaders and civil society groups filed the complaint, which was endorsed by House Assistant Minority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. and Deputy Minority Leader and AAMBIS-Owa party-list Rep. Lex Colada.

The groups cited culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder and/or malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes as grounds for their complaint.

They raised Duterte’s “anomalous” disbursement of confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education, which she headed until July, as well as handing out cash for an undetermined purpose to employees.

“This decision is not made lightly but with a deep sense of responsibility to ensure accountability at the highest levels of government,” Bordado said in a statement.

“Such conduct undermines public trust, threatens the stability of our democratic system, and sets a dangerous precedent for behavior unbecoming of a public official,” he added.

Duterte has no statement on the latest move.

The first two complaints were filed by a number of groups and endorsed by Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.