Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the House of Representatives saying its ongoing hearings were being used to push a “media narrative” while Filipinos grappled with rising prices, job losses, and economic uncertainty.
In a statement dated March 25, Duterte said the country’s more urgent concerns were the struggles faced by ordinary Filipinos due to the increasing cost of goods.
“Ang suliranin ng bayan ngayon ay ang nanganganib na pagsasara ng mga negosyo, ang pagkawala ng trabaho, at ang hirap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino dulot ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produkto,” she said.
Her remarks came after she declined to attend the hearing of the House Committee on Justice, which is handling impeachment complaints filed against her.
The committee earlier found the complaints sufficient in form, allowing proceedings to move forward.
Duterte questioned the purpose of the hearings, saying they appeared designed to create a “mini-trial” narrative based on her non-attendance.
“Ang imbitasyon na dumalo sa pagdinig ng Committee on Justice ay tila ginagamit upang makabuo ng isang media narrative na magkakaroon ng ‘mini-trial,’ batay sa umano’y hindi ko pagsagot at hindi pagdalo,” she said.
She further alleged that the proceedings were being used as a “fishing expedition” against her.
“Sa ganitong paraan, ginagamit ang mga pagdinig upang makapagsagawa na naman ang House of Representatives ng ikatlong fishing expedition laban sa akin,” Duterte said.
The vice president maintained that there was no rule requiring her personal appearance before the panel and emphasized that she had already submitted her formal response, known as an Answer ad Cautelam.
The vice president filed a “Consolidated Verified Answer Ad Cautelam” to impeachment complaints on March 16, 2026, challenging their sufficiency while formally responding to allegations.
“Malinaw na walang patakaran na nagsasabing kailangang personal na dumalo ang respondent sa impeachment complaint sa mga pagdinig ng Committee on Justice, Naisumite ko na ang aking Answer ad Cautelam. Sa ngayon, wala nang dapat pang gawin ang Komite kundi ibasura ang mga reklamo dahil sa malinaw na kakulangan ng ebidensya,” she added.
Duterte also accused lawmakers of prioritizing politics over public welfare.
“Muli, inuuna ang politika kaysa sa kapakanan ng milyon-milyong Pilipino na hirap na hirap dahil sa mahal na bilihin,” she said.
Instead of attending the hearings, Duterte said she would focus on assisting communities affected by rising living costs.
“Mas pipiliin kong ilaan ang aking oras sa pagtulong sa mga Pilipino—lalo na sa pagbibigay ng paalala, diretso sa mga komunidad, upang maibsan ang hirap sa gastusin ng mga pamilyang higit na nangangailangan,” she said.
