Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday criticized renewed efforts in the House of Representatives that she said are aimed at laying the groundwork for her impeachment, describing them as politically motivated “fishing expeditions.”
In a statement, Duterte said the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability last year launched an extensive inquiry allegedly designed to find grounds for impeachment rather than uncover the truth.
She claimed that lawmakers had sought signatures for her impeachment in exchange for budget allocations, a practice she said was recently confirmed by several members of Congress.
The vice president said a new investigation is now being pursued, which she accused of attempting to “weaponize” manufactured accusations to create what she described as a semblance of procedural legitimacy.
Civil society groups and church leaders on Friday filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against the vice president and 15 OVP officials over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
The cases, led by former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, Father Flavie Villanueva, and Father Robert Reyes, include charges of plunder, malversation, bribery, and graft.
The complainants cited alleged irregularities in fund liquidation, including fabricated receipts bearing fictitious names such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Nova,” and “Oishi.”
The vice president urged the public to be discerning and not to be swayed by what she called smear campaigns, stressing that the issue was not about accountability but about diverting attention from unresolved cases of alleged misuse of public funds.
She also called on Filipinos to remain steadfast amid economic challenges, including rising prices of basic goods, and appealed for prayers for peace.
Duterte assured the public that the Office of the Vice President would continue to deliver “efficient, accessible, and responsive” services for Filipinos despite the political controversy.
“Rest assured that the Office of the Vice President will continue to deliver efficient, accessible, and responsive public service for the good of all Filipinos,” she said.
