VP Sara Duterte slapped with 4th impeachment complaint

2026-02-18 - 12:13

MANILA, Philippines – Another impeachment complaint was filed with the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday night, February 18, raising the total number of such petitions to four. The complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, and endorsed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante, who are prominent critics of the Vice President. The petition invokes the following grounds for impeachment and alleged offenses committed by Duterte: Culpable violation of the constitution: “Subversion of constitutional order and the system of lawful succession” in relation to her threats to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, “circumvention of constitutional accountability for public funds” in relation to her alleged misuse of confidential funds, and alleged failure to truthfully declare her net worth; Betrayal of public trust: Abuse of power still in relation to her alleged misuse of confidential funds and “pattern of non-transparency,” and “public conduct and threats inconsistent with the dignity and duties” of the Vice President; Graft and corruption: Her alleged irregular utilization of public funds and “causing another public officer to violate rules and regulations”; Bribery: Her alleged distribution of cash to influence official functions; and Other high crimes. The filing comes only hours after Duterte made an early declaration of her presidential candidacy in 2028. Earlier this month, progressive groups, civil society leaders, and clergy members separately submitted to the House their impeachment complaints against Duterte. The four petitions have yet to be referred to the justice committee, which, based on Supreme Court jurisprudence, will signal the initiation of the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. The House already impeached Duterte in 2025, but her trial stalled at the Senate until the Supreme Court intervened and declared her impeachment unconstitutional due to the violation of the constitutional one-year bar. While 215 out of 306 lawmakers signed her impeachment complaint in 2025, it will be difficult for her rivals to gather the same amount of support this year, especially as congressmen weigh the pros and cons of going after the perceived frontrunner in the 2028 presidential race. Nonetheless, the possibility of impeachment and conviction at the Senate, no matter how unlikely, will cast uncertainties over her eligibility for the country’s highest office. – Rappler.com