Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed the new impeachment complaints filed against her by the Akbayan party-list, calling them politically motivated and linked to Sen. Risa Hontiveros' presidential ambitions in 2028. In a video message, she questioned Akbayan's credibility and described the efforts as harassment. Two complaints were transmitted to the Speaker's office on Thursday.
In Manila, Philippines, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement dismissing the new impeachment complaints filed by the Akbayan party-list against her yesterday. In a video message, she questioned the credibility of Akbayan, noting that its leader has repeatedly expressed intentions to run for president. “Akbayan lacks the credibility to endorse or file an impeachment complaint. Their leader has repeatedly publicly stated her intention to run for president – a clear indication of the political motive behind their actions,” she said.
She referenced a previous speech and interview by Hontiveros, showing a clip in her message: “While his daughter is still in power, our fight will not be easy. While VP Sara is in power, the threat of a full-blown Duterte comeback is still a very real and present danger. For one, they are supported by one major superpower, China.”
Duterte labeled the efforts as harassment and an abuse of the impeachment process. “It is clear that all of this is a form of harassment and abuse in the impeachment process by the Akbayan group. It is not clear what they are fighting for in terms of public order, but their politicking and affecting our country’s diplomacy is very clear,” she added.
House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil stated that two complaints were transmitted Thursday afternoon to the office of Speaker Faustino Dy III, in line with the Constitution and House rules. The first verified complaint came from members of the Makabayan coalition, endorsed by party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio (ACT), Sarah Jane Elago (Gabriela), and Renee Louise Co (Kabataan).
Duterte recalled a prior attempt following her exit from the Cabinet. She criticized the 19th Congress for what she called an “investigation in aid of legislation” that amounted to a fishing expedition for impeachment material. “They have repeatedly flagged the Mary Grace Piattos issue as allegedly tainted with corruption, even though despite all the investigations they have not shown a single direct violation in the use of confidential funds,” she said. Last year, Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun revealed that “Mary Grace Piattos” received the largest share of confidential funds disbursed by the Office of the Vice President in December 2022.
