Cite funds misuse systematic cover-up

Vice President Sara Duterte was hit with a second impeachment complaint on Wednesday, signed by 75 representatives from various sectoral groups, including former legislators and human rights victims.

The fresh impeachment complaint added to Duterte’s legal woes as she faces a probe into her alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as another inquiry into her use of government funds.

Wednesday’s complaint accused Duterte of betraying public trust for the alleged misuse of millions of pesos in public funds while she was Education secretary, the Makabayan bloc said.

“The Vice President’s brazen misuse of more than half a billion pesos in confidential funds, particularly the suspicious liquidation of P125 million in just 11 days at the end of 2022, represents a grave betrayal of public trust,” Bayan chairperson Teddy Casino said in a statement.

“The Filipino people, especially our taxpayers who bear the burden of funding government operations, deserve accountability from their second highest official,” he added.

The complaint also cited the “systematic cover-up” of the fund misuse through anomalous documents submitted before the Commission on Audit and the alleged “deliberate obstruction” of congressional investigation and oversight. 

The Makabayan bloc, with Reps. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, France Castro of ACT Teachers and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan endorsed the 45-page impeachment complaint.

“The P612.5 million confidential funds scandal under VP Sara Duterte is a direct assault on Filipinos and their families who bear the brunt of increasing poverty while corrupt officials squander public funds. This money could have funded crucial programs for healthcare, protection against violence, livelihood, and other social services,” Gabriela said.

“The subsequent cover-up through falsified documents makes this betrayal of public trust even more serious.”

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said his office received the second impeachment complaint at 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

“As mandated by Article XI on Accountability of Public Officers, particularly Section 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the House of Representatives will process this complaint in accordance with the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings,” Velasco said.

“The filing of impeachment complaints underscores the seriousness of the allegations and highlights the vital role of Congress in upholding transparency and accountability in government.”

“The House is  committed to performing its Constitutional duty with fairness, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law. We assure the public that this process will be conducted with integrity, guided by the principles of due process and adherence to the Constitution,” he added.

Malacañang earlier distanced itself from efforts to impeach Duterte following the filing of the first impeachment rap on Monday.

“The President already made a clear and unambiguous statement that he will not support an effort to impeach because it is distracting. We have many needs to address that are important for the country,” Bersamin said.

“The President has been very clear. Any suggestion that it is political, that it was instigated by our side – no. That is never true,” the Palace official added.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Groups file second impeachment bid against VP Sara Duterte.”