A group of Catholic priests, joined by other concerned individuals and organizations, filed the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, December 19, accusing her of betrayal of public trust and constitutional violations.
Endorsed by House Assistant Minority Leader Gabriel Bordado of Camarines Sur 3rd District and Deputy Minority Leader Lex Colada of AAMBIS-OWA party-list, the complaint highlighted allegations of misusing confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). The complainants argued that Duterte’s alleged actions amounted to plunder and demanded her removal from office.
Seven priests, including Reverend Father Antonio Labiao Jr., a Clergy for Good Governance convener, and Cebuano theologian Father Daniel Franklin Pilario, were among the complainants. They were joined by leaders of four nongovernmental organizations, a lawyer, and the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao.
The complaint detailed revelations from congressional hearings, such as the involvement of Duterte’s security personnel in handling confidential funds and questionable receipts submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA), allegedly signed by individuals without birth records. The petition warned that allowing such actions to go unpunished would set a dangerous precedent for public officials.
“Impeachment is the ultimate line of defense against corruption at the highest rungs of officialdom,” the complaint stated. “She cannot be Vice President a minute longer.”
Congress, which adjourned for the holidays on December 18, is expected to address the complaint in January when sessions resume. Speaker Martin Romualdez has 10 session days to include the complaint in the order of business and three session days to refer it to the House justice committee.
