Impeachment Complaint Filed Against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte
Background
An alliance of civil society groups in the Philippines has filed an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, citing grounds of grave misconduct and constitutional violations.
Bitter Row with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr
The daughter of firebrand former President Rodrigo Duterte has been embroiled in a bitter row with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and is the subject of an enquiry into her spending by the House of Representatives. She denies wrongdoing.
Monday’s Complainants
Monday’s complainants included civil society and religious leaders, as well as former government officials critical of her father.
Statement by Teresita Quintos Deles
"The Vice President has reduced public office to a platform for violent rhetoric, personal enrichment, elitist entitlement and a shield for impunity," said Teresita Quintos Deles, one of the complainants, in a statement.
Akbayan Opposition Party Endorsement
A representative of the Akbayan opposition party endorsed the complaint in the Philippine House of Representatives.
Response from Duterte’s Office
Duterte’s office said requests for comment had been relayed to the vice-president.
High-Profile Row
The impeachment bid is the latest twist in a high-profile row among three of the Philippines’ highest office-holders, after the collapse of a powerful alliance between their families led to Marcos’ landslide win in the 2022 election.
Quote from Leila de Lima
"This impeachment is not just a legal battle but a moral crusade to restore dignity and decency to public service," said Leila de Lima, a spokesperson for the complainants and a staunch critic of an anti-narcotics campaign run by Duterte’s father.
Complaint Accusations
The complaint accused Duterte of violating the Philippine constitution by refusing to attend hearings on her budget which violated the system of checks and balances, and graft, both as vice president’s office and when she was the education minister. It also accused her of gross incompetence and dereliction of duty.
Controversial Remarks
Sara Duterte recently said she had contracted someone to kill Marcos, his wife and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, if she herself were to be killed. Later she said the remarks had been taken out of context.
Marcos’ Response
On Friday, in remarks that drew criticism from some lawmakers, Marcos said any impeachment complaint against his estranged vice president would only distract Congress and not help people.
Impeachment Process
The Philippines’ lower chamber of congress is dominated by allies of Marcos, which could allow her impeachment to go through the lower chamber before an impeachment trial in the Senate.
Conclusion
The impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte marks a significant development in the ongoing high-profile row among the Philippines’ highest office-holders. The complainants are seeking to hold the vice president accountable for alleged constitutional violations and gross incompetence.
FAQs
- What is the reason for the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte?
The complaint cites grounds of grave misconduct and constitutional violations. - Who are the complainants?
The complainants include civil society and religious leaders, as well as former government officials critical of her father. - What is the background of the controversy?
The controversy stems from a bitter row between Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, as well as an enquiry into her spending by the House of Representatives. - What is the next step in the impeachment process?
The complaint will be reviewed by the House of Representatives, which is dominated by allies of Marcos. If approved, the case will proceed to an impeachment trial in the Senate.