Photo: PAMALAKAYA

Manila, Philippines – A few days after the first one, a second impeachment case was filed against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 4, anchored only on one solid ground – betrayal of public trust. 

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said the complaint specifically zeroed in on Duterte’s failure to account for the P612.5 million confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during her term as secretary. 

Led by the Makabayan bloc, the impeachment complaint was filed by over 70 complainants from various civil society groups including marginalized, environmental, student and labor groups.

Endorsing lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc include Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist), Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), and Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers Partylist).

According to former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, three acts constitute betrayal of public trust: 

1. Gross abuse of discretionary powers over P612 million in confidential funds from December 2022 until the third quarter of 2023.
2. Gross disregard of transparency and accountability making a mockery of the audit process by:
   1. Ordering subordinates to prepare implausible accomplishment reports supported by fabricated liquidation reports and falsified documents 
   2. Submit the same to the Commission on Audit to support the questionable use of the confidential funds that is not in accordance with laws and regulations causing great injury to the government and the taxpayers. 
3. Dereliction of official duty with her willful refusal to recognize congressional oversight during budget deliberations and its authorities to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation.

Colmenares, who was among the complainants, said the second impeachment complaint focused on betrayal of public trust alone because it is “all-encompassing and already constitutes various offenses.” 

Also, investigating just one ground, according to Colmenares, fast tracks the impeachment process making it possible to finish the proceedings within just a month. 

“Pwede naman kami magdagdag ng marami pa pero the betrayal of public trust, ‘yun encompasses everything kasi merong tiwala ang publiko sa’yo tinaksilan mo ‘yun and that is for us one of the highest if not the highest treachery ng isang public official,” Colmenares said. 

Colmenares made a comparison to the 2012 impeachment trial of the former Chief Justice Renato Corona which lasted four months because it had to tackle three impeachment grounds and right articles. 

Casiño agreed with Colmenares, underscoring the need to speed up the impeachment process. 

“One ground, three acts. Hindi magtatagal ito. Because there is that factor na nagmamadali tayo. Eh kailangan lang naman sa impeachment with one act, one ground to impeach a high official,” he said. 

Challenge to congress 

Casio said Duterte’s impeachment also serves as a challenge to the Congress to prove its independence and perform its checks and balance mandate on other government offices. 

This came amid discouragement from President Marcos Jr. himself, despite being the target of Duterte’s kill plot, from impeaching his former running mate describing it as a “waste of time” since the latter is simply “unimportant.” 

House lawmakers have repeatedly said that there is no formal agenda in the lower chamber for an impeachment for the Vice President but by mandate, they will act on any complaint filed, should there be.