Former senator and vocal opposition figure Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV is calling on Filipinos to join a multi-sectoral rally advocating for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. The rally is set to take place on January 31, 2025, at 9:00 AM, at the historic People Power Monument.
Through a Facebook post, Trillanes urged the public to take a stand against what he described as corruption, incompetence, and unfitness of Duterte to hold the position of Vice President.
“We are inviting everyone to join the multi-sectoral rally para sa IMPEACHMENT NI SARA on Jan.31, 9am, at the People Power Monument. Panimula pa lang ito. Let our voices be heard!!! Kung di man kayo maka-join, then kindly help us spread the posts and photos about the event para hindi malihis ang issue ng corruption, incompetence at pagiging unfit ni Sara to be VP,” Trillanes wrote.
The impeachment complaints filed against Duterte focus on serious accusations, including misuse of public funds, threats against government officials, and obstruction of congressional investigations.
Misuse of confidential funds
One of the primary issues raised involves the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education, where Duterte also serves as secretary. Critics claim that the staggering depletion of funds, reportedly spent at an alarming rate of over ₱125 million per day, constitutes graft, corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
Public threats against top officials
Duterte also faces backlash for publicly admitting that she contracted an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event of her assassination. These statements, seen as both alarming and unbefitting a public official, are cited in the impeachment complaints as evidence of her alleged mental incapacity and betrayal of public trust.
Fabricated reports to Congress
Additional complaints accuse Duterte of submitting fabricated reports to Congress to obscure the use of confidential funds. Advocacy groups claim this attempt to obstruct investigations further demonstrates a lack of transparency and accountability in her leadership.
