TWO impeachment complaints were filed against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, according to Super Radyo dzBB. Members of the Makabayan Coalition filed the complaint with the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, endorsed by the Makabayan bloc.
Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares stated that the complaint centers on the Vice President’s use of confidential funds, alleging a betrayal of public trust. Former ACT Teachers Party-list representative France Castro echoed this sentiment.
The first complaint alleges that Duterte betrayed public trust by gross abuse of discretionary powers over P612.5 million in confidential funds from December 2022 until the third quarter of 2023.
The complaint cites a gross disregard of transparency and accountability, making a mockery of the audit process by ordering subordinates to prepare implausible accomplishment reports supported by fabricated liquidation reports and falsified documents.
The complaint also alleges dereliction of official duty for willful refusal to recognize congressional oversight during budget deliberations. The complaint cited, among others, the Commission on Audit’s notice of disallowance issued on P73 million out of the P125 confidential funds released to the Vice President’s office in 2022.
