The House of Representatives on Wednesday impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, citing a series of grave allegations, including conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., large-scale corruption, abuse of public funds, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.
A total of 215 lawmakers, crossing party lines, voted to approve the seven Articles of Impeachment, marking the first time in Philippine history that a sitting vice president faces impeachment. The move sets the stage for a Senate trial that could determine Duterte’s removal from office.
“There is a motion to direct the Secretary General to immediately endorse to the Senate the impeachment complaint having been filed by more than one-third of the membership of the House or a total of members. Is there any objection? The chair hers none. The motion is approved. The Secretary General is so directed,” said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The House of Representatives also elected the 11-member House Prosecution Panel composed of Reps. Gerville Luistro, Romeo Acop, Rodge Gutierrez, Joel Chua, Jil Bongalon, Loreto Acharon, Marcelino Libanan, Arnan Panaligan, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lorenz Defensor, and Jonathan Keith Flores.
“This is about upholding the Constitution and ensuring that no public official, regardless of their position, is above the law,” Romualdez stated after the vote.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte revolves around six major allegations, each linked to alleged violations of the 1987 Constitution, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and other laws.
These are:
1. Conspiracy to Assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Romualdez
One of the most damning accusations involves an alleged plot by Duterte to assassinate President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Romualdez.
House investigators presented evidence of Duterte’s own public admissions, where she allegedly claimed she hired an assassin to kill top government leaders.
Duterte had also previously spoken about “imagining” the decapitation of the President, statements that fueled national security concerns.
Lawmakers argued that allowing Duterte to remain in office poses a direct threat to national stability, making impeachment necessary.
2. Malversation of P612.5 Million in Confidential Funds
Duterte is accused of misusing and illegally disbursing P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary. Investigators found:
- P254.8 million in questionable disbursements under the Office of the Vice President (OVP), linked to 1,322 fictitious beneficiaries who had no birth records.
- P43.2 million in alleged ghost transactions involving 405 fake names under the DepEd confidential fund.
- Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs) testified that they were ordered to hand over confidential funds to unauthorized individuals.
These blatant financial irregularities constitute technical malversation, graft, and corruption, forming a strong case for impeachment.
3. Bribery and Corruption in DepEd
Duterte is also accused of bribery and financial manipulation within the Department of Education (DepEd). Evidence suggests she approved monetary gifts and bribes to high-ranking officials handling procurement and bidding processes.
Among those implicated are former DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado (Procurement Head), Bids and Awards Committee Member Resty Osias, DepEd Chief Accountant Rhunna Catalan, Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda
Investigations further revealed that lawyer Reynold Munsayac, Duterte’s former spokesperson, attempted to rig the DepEd Computerization Program in favor of preferred contractors, an act violating Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
4. Unexplained Wealth and Failure to Disclose Assets
Scrutiny of Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) revealed:
- A quadrupling of her net worth from 2007 to 2017, without a legitimate increase in income.
- At least P2 billion in suspicious transactions linked to joint bank accounts shared with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
- Total unexplained income of P111.6 million from 2006 to 2015.
Failure to fully disclose assets and sources of income is a culpable violation of Section 17, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, further justifying her impeachment.
5. Involvement in Extrajudicial Killings (Davao Death Squad)
Former police officer SPO4 Arturo Lascañas testified that Duterte was involved in the Davao Death Squad (DDS) during her time as Mayor of Davao City.
According to Lascanas, Duterte personally ordered assassinations under Operation Tokhang. Bodies of victims were also secretly buried in mass graves at Laud Quarry.
These allegations tie Duterte to gross human rights violations and strengthen the impeachment case under crimes against humanity and abuse of authority.
6. Destabilization, Insurrection, and Public Disorder
Duterte is accused of engaging in acts aimed at destabilizing the Philippine government, including:
- Boycotting the State of the Nation Address (SONA) while declaring herself “designated survivor.”
- Leading rallies calling for President Marcos Jr.’s resignation.
- Publicly defending fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a known ally accused of serious crimes.
- Obstructing congressional investigations by ordering subordinates not to comply with subpoenas.
- Threatening bodily harm against the President, First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez.
Lawmakers classified these actions as sedition and insurrection, further cementing grounds for Duterte’s impeachment.
Following the House vote, Romualdez immediately transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, where Duterte will face trial in the Impeachment Court.
A two-thirds vote by the Senate is required to convict and remove Duterte from office. If convicted, she will also be permanently barred from holding any public office in the future.
