Vice President Sara Duterte Impeached by House of Representatives
Table of Contents
- 1. Vice President Sara Duterte Impeached by House of Representatives
- 2. Grounds for Impeachment
- 3. Articles of Impeachment
- 4. Speaker romualdez’s Statement
- 5. Brother condemns Impeachment as Political Persecution
- 6. Next Steps
- 7. Impeachment Proceedings Commence Against Vice President
- 8. The Prosecutors
- 9. The Allegations
- 10. Historical Context
- 11. What potential impact could the outcome of the impeachment trial have on public trust in the government adn the accountability of public officials?
- 12. Philippine Politics in Tumult: An Exclusive Interview With A Legal Expert
- 13. An Unfolding Drama
- 14. Navigating Uncharted Waters
- 15. The People’s Outlook
- 16. A Call to Attention
In a historic move, the house of Representatives voted to impeach vice President sara Duterte on Wednesday, wiht 215 congressmen endorsing the verified complaint against her. The complaint will now proceed to the Senate for her impeachment trial.
Grounds for Impeachment
The impeachment complaint, approved by the House plenary, cites four primary grounds: Culpable Violation of the Constitution, Betrayal of Public Trust, Graft and Corruption, and Other High Crimes. The complaint stems largely from an inquiry by the House good governance and public accountability panel into the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Vice President Duterte’s leadership.
The panel’s examination revealed irregularities in the submission of acknowledgement receipts for the disbursement of confidential funds to the Commission on audit (COA). These irregularities included discrepancies in dates, signatories, and the legibility of names, raising concerns about the clarity and accountability of the funds.
Articles of Impeachment
The impeachment complaint outlines seven articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte, detailing a range of alleged offenses:
- Conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand marcos Jr., First Lady Liza marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
- Malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds with questionable liquidation documents.
- Bribery and corruption in the DepEd during Duterte’s tenure, involving the distribution of cash to former DepEd officials.
- Unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets in Vice President Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, with a significant increase in her wealth between 2007 and 2017.
- Involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City.
- Destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder efforts, including boycotting the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and leading rallies calling for President Marcos’ resignation.
- The totality of Vice President Duterte’s conduct as the second highest official of the land.
Speaker romualdez’s Statement
Speaker Martin Romualdez stated, “The House’s vote for the impeachment of Vice President Duterte is about upholding the Constitution and ensuring that no public official, regardless of their position, is above the law.”
Brother condemns Impeachment as Political Persecution
Paolo Duterte, brother of the Vice president, denounced the impeachment as a politically motivated attack. he stated, “The sinister maneuvering of certain lawmakers… to hastily collect signatures and push for the immediate approval and transmittal of this baseless impeachment case is a clear act of political persecution.” He further warned that “The Filipino people will not sit idly by as this government undermines democracy and silences opposition through fabricated accusations.”
Earlier this year, vice President Duterte expressed her openness to facing impeachment complaints.
Next Steps
The Senate now holds the authority to conduct the impeachment trial. A two-thirds vote from the Senate is required to convict and remove vice President Duterte from office.The trial promises to be a pivotal moment in Philippine politics, with far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
The impeachment of Vice President Duterte marks a significant escalation in political tensions within the Philippines. The outcome of the Senate trial will undoubtedly shape the political landscape and the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. It is a growth that will continue to be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
Impeachment Proceedings Commence Against Vice President
The House of Representatives has officially begun the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. A panel of 11 House members was elected as prosecutors, tasked with presenting the case against the Vice President.
The Prosecutors
- Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro
- Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop
- Manila Rep. Joel Chua
- 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez
- Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Bongalon
- General Santos Rep. Loreto Acharon
- 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino libanan
- Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan Panaligan
- Taguig Rep. Isabel Maria Zamora
- Iloilo Rep.Lorenz Defensor
- Bukidnon Rep.Jonathan Keith Flores
This decisive action follows a House panel investigation that uncovered irregularities in the handling of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
The Allegations
The Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance regarding P73 million in confidential funds used by the OVP within 11 days in 2022. The COA found that the OVP lacked documentation to support the allocation of P69 million of these funds, which were disbursed as rewards for facts gathering and surveillance activities.
“The OVP did not submit documents showing the success of information gathering and/or surveillance activities to support the acknowledgment receipts for around P69 million of payments of rewards in cash, various goods, and medicines,”
stated the COA.
Moreover, the COA highlighted an additional P3.5 million that was allegedly spent on office furniture without clear indication of its intended use for confidential operations.
Historical Context
This event marks the second time in recent history that the Senate will serve as an impeachment court. The last instance was in 2012, when then Chief justice Renato Corona faced impeachment charges. He was ultimately convicted of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution due to discrepancies in his Statement of Assets, liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
The upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte promises to be a significant event, potentially shaping the political landscape in the coming months.
As the Senate prepares to take on its role as judge and jury, the nation watches closely. It remains to be seen what evidence will be presented and what the ultimate outcome of the trial will be.
What potential impact could the outcome of the impeachment trial have on public trust in the government adn the accountability of public officials?
Philippine Politics in Tumult: An Exclusive Interview With A Legal Expert
Following the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, the political landscape in the Philippines is in a state of flux. We sat down with Dr.Maria santos, a constitutional law professor at the University of the Philippines, to get her insights on the current situation and its potential ramifications.
An Unfolding Drama
Dr. Santos, the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte has captured national attention. What are the key issues at stake in this case?
“The core issues surrounding this impeachment revolve around the alleged mishandling of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President. The Commission on Audit has raised notable concerns about the lack of openness and documentation regarding the disbursement of these funds. The outcome of the trial could have profound implications for public trust in government and the accountability of public officials, especially those in high positions,”
she stated.
How unprecedented is this impeachment? Can you shed light on any past parallels?
“While impeachment proceedings against high-ranking officials are not entirely new to the Philippines, the backdrop of this case is unique.The last time the Senate served as an impeachment court was in 2012, during Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment. Though,the nature of the allegations against Vice President Duterte—though centered on financial impropriety—bring to bear deeper questions about the conduct of office and potential misuse of public funds for ulterior purposes,”
she explained. “
The People’s Outlook
What do you think this impeachment says about the relationship between the executive and legislative branches in the Philippines?
“The impeachment demonstrates both the strength and the vulnerability of Philippine democracy. On one hand, it showcases the ability of the legislative branch to hold the executive accountable. On the othre hand, it underscores the deeply polarized political climate and the potential for constitutional crises when these branches clash,”
Dr. Santos observed.
A Call to Attention
Looking forward, what message do you hope this entire episode sends to the Filipino people?
“I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in any democratic society. Citizens must remain vigilant, demand ethical conduct from their leaders, and participate actively in the democratic process. only through collective efforts can we ensure that our institutions serve the best interests of the nation,”
she concluded.
