Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon has lodged a disbarment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Supreme Court, citing her recent controversial remarks about President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a letter submitted on Wednesday, Gadon urged the High Court to initiate a motu proprio disbarment proceeding against Duterte, labeling her statements as “illegal, immoral, and condemnable.” The Vice President previously claimed she had considered hiring someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
Duterte clarified that her comments were not a threat but meant to underscore security concerns. Despite this, authorities have deemed the remarks a national security issue, and President Marcos vowed to thwart any criminal attempts against him.
Gadon, himself a disbarred lawyer, also called for Duterte’s resignation, asserting that she faces likely impeachment in the next Congress. He further threatened to file impeachment complaints against Supreme Court justices if they do not act on his petition.
The Supreme Court earlier consolidated two separate disbarment cases against Duterte, stemming from her time as Davao City mayor in 2011 when she punched a court sheriff enforcing a demolition order. Another anonymous complaint was filed against her following her controversial remarks about exhuming former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s remains.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has stated that the Department of Justice is examining the legal implications of Duterte’s remarks, citing concerns over breaches of moral principles.
Gadon, who ran under the Marcos-Duterte UNITEAM in the 2022 elections, expressed regret over supporting Duterte, calling her statements “immature” and lacking in statesmanship.
