Vice President Sara Duterte has rejected the impeachment complaint endorsed by the Akbayan party-list group, describing it as politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.
In a statement issued following the filing of the complaint, Duterte accused her critics of abusing the impeachment process and using it as a political weapon.
“Ang impeachment complaint na inendorso ng Akbayan ay isang papel na walang kalakip na kahit anong ebidensiyang magpapatunay sa mga paratang na isinasaad dito. Hindi na ito bago.”
She claimed that previous impeachment attempts were linked to her decision to leave the Cabinet and blamed the administration for the country’s continuing economic difficulties.
“Matatandaan na ang impeachment laban sa akin ang naging sagot nila sa aking pag-alis sa Gabinete—isang hakbang na isinagawa dahil hindi na maipaliwanag ng Pangulo ang patuloy na pagkalugmok ng bayan sa kahirapan dulot ng kanyang kapabayaan at bisyo.”
Duterte also recalled congressional investigations during the 19th Congress, which she described as politically driven and meant to find grounds for impeachment.
“Noong 19th Congress, binuksan pa nila ang isang ‘investigation in aid of legislation’ hindi upang lumikha ng batas, kundi upang magsagawa ng isang malinaw na fishing expedition para sa planadong impeachment laban sa akin.”
She again addressed the controversy surrounding the use of confidential funds, insisting that no violations were proven.
“Paulit-ulit nilang ibinandera ang isyung ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ bilang umano’y bahid ng katiwalian, kahit na sa kabila ng lahat ng imbestigasyon ay wala silang naipakitang kahit isang direktang paglabag sa paggamit ng confidential funds.”
Duterte further alleged political maneuvering within the House of Representatives.
“Sumunod na dito ang bentahan ng mga pirma para sa impeachment at ang mga tinaguriang ‘for later release projects’ na ipinangako umano sa ilang miyembro ng Kamara upang itulak ang impeachment laban sakin.”
She questioned Akbayan’s credibility and cited political ambitions behind the move.
“Mga kababayan, walang kredibilidad ang Akbayan upang mag-endorso o magsumite ng impeachment complaint. Ilang ulit nang hayagang ipinahayag ng kanilang pinuno ang kanyang intensiyong tumakbo sa pagkapangulo.”
She also cited a 2024 speech by Senator Risa Hontiveros as evidence of political motives.
“[‘Habang ang anak niya ay may kapangyarihan pa, hindi magiging madali ang ating laban. 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 said the impeachment move amounts to harassment and politicization of the process.
“Kaya malinaw na lahat ng ito ay isang uri ng harassment at pang-aabuso sa proseso ng impeachment ng grupong Akbayan.”
She stressed that impeachment should not be used for partisan politics.
“Nawa’y magsilbi itong paalala sa ating lahat na ang kapangyarihan ng impeachment ay hindi dapat ginagawang sandata ng pulitika, kundi isang banal na proseso para sa hustisya at pananagutan.”
She ended her statement with a warning about the broader impact of political conflict.
“Sapagkat kapag nanaig ang abuso, ang tunay na talunan ay ang sambayanang Pilipino.”
