Removing Vice President Sara Duterte from office through impeachment will restore public trust and accountability, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña said, as he called on Congress to act on the pending complaints. Cendaña emphasized that Duterte’s position as second in command makes her proximity to the presidency concerning amid allegations of abuse of power and misuse of public funds.
In an Inquirer.net report, Cendaña noted that 41% of Filipinos, based on a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, support Duterte’s removal. He expressed hope that the matter would be addressed when Congress resumes session on January 13.
“There is growing consensus and momentum for this action. The sooner we proceed with the impeachment, the sooner Filipinos can regain peace of mind,” Cendaña said, highlighting concerns over Duterte’s alleged misdeeds.
Three impeachment complaints against Duterte have been filed, with Cendaña endorsing the first one submitted by civil society groups. The complaints cite allegations of betrayal of public trust, graft, corruption, and misuse of confidential funds. The hearings revealed discrepancies in acknowledgment receipts for confidential fund allocations, involving fictitious names like “Mary Grace Piattos” and “Kokoy Villamin,” which the Philippine Statistics Authority confirmed do not exist in its records.
Cendaña urged House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to expedite the transmittal of the complaints for further proceedings, asserting that accountability should take precedence over political hesitation.
The Vice President has not issued a statement regarding the complaints. Meanwhile, lawmakers and advocates continue to push for transparency and resolution to ensure public funds are properly managed.
