Philippine Catholic Priests File Impeachment Complaint Against Vice President Sara Duterte
Background
Vice President Sara Duterte, 46, was tipped to succeed her father Rodrigo Duterte in the 2022 elections but stepped aside to back President Ferdinand Marcos and later ran for vice president on his ticket. However, their alliance has publicly imploded ahead of the mid-term polls next year.
The Feud
Last month, Vice President Duterte delivered an expletive-laden news conference, saying she had ordered someone to kill President Marcos if she herself was slain. She later denied making a death threat, describing her comments as an expression of “consternation” with the Marcos administration’s failures.
Impeachment Complaints
Two impeachment complaints have already been made to parliament by separate coalitions of activists. The third was lodged on Thursday by seven Manila-based Catholic priests. The complaint accused Vice President Duterte of “anomalous disbursements” of millions of dollars as vice president and when she headed the education ministry, as well as plotting President Marcos’ assassination.
Accusations
The complaint alleged that Vice President Duterte had engaged in “anomalous disbursements” of millions of dollars while in office, and that she had plotted President Marcos’ assassination. The priests claimed that impeachment was necessary to defend against corruption at the highest levels of government.
Impeachment Process
Impeachment will only take place if it is backed by a third of lawmakers in the Philippines’ lower house of parliament and two-thirds of the upper house. The justice committee of the lower house has said that none of the three complaints against Vice President Duterte have been scheduled for public hearings, a requirement before they vote to dismiss or endorse it.
President Marcos’ Response
President Marcos has attempted to publicly dissuade lawmakers from voting to impeach Vice President Duterte. He said last month that none of the controversy would help improve a single Filipino life, describing it as a “storm in a teacup.”
Conclusion
The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte marks the third bid to oust her from office. The outcome of the impeachment process remains uncertain, but it is clear that the feud between Vice President Duterte and President Marcos has reached a boiling point.
FAQs
Q: Why did Vice President Duterte step aside to back President Marcos?
A: Vice President Duterte stepped aside to back President Marcos in the 2022 elections, but later ran for vice president on his ticket.
Q: What did Vice President Duterte say in her expletive-laden news conference?
A: Vice President Duterte said she had ordered someone to kill President Marcos if she herself was slain.
Q: What are the allegations against Vice President Duterte?
A: The impeachment complaint accuses Vice President Duterte of “anomalous disbursements” of millions of dollars as vice president and when she headed the education ministry, as well as plotting President Marcos’ assassination.
Q: What is the process for impeaching Vice President Duterte?
A: Impeachment will only take place if it is backed by a third of lawmakers in the Philippines’ lower house of parliament and two-thirds of the upper house.